ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County has issued a rabies alert for parts of the St. Lucie County area.
The alert comes after a raccoon and an otter tested positive in unrelated instances on Tuesday.
The center of the first rabies alert is Cypress Street in the River Park area of St. Lucie County and includes the following boundaries:
• North to Brazilian Circle
• South to Dyer Road
• East to the intersection of Prima Vista Boulevard and Tilton Road
• West to the St. Lucie River
The center of the second rabies alert is in rural St. Lucie County located within the following boundaries:
• North to the C-24 Canal
• South to the western bend of Germany Canal Road
• East to Carlton Road
• West to the end of Germany Canal Road
Rick Kampff and his son Kai spent the evening walking their dogs. On Friday, they learned a raccoon from their neighborhood in River Park tested positive for rabies.
"I just hope everybody has their dogs or cats vaccinated and be safe,” said Kampff.
They’re in a community with a lot of animals, both domestic and wild.
“A lot of cats more than anything, but anything else — just mainly dogs,” said Kampff.
Donald Dobbs lives in the same neighborhood.
“I had to get one raccoon out of the swimming pool," he said. "As a matter of fact, one of them got into the swimming pool area and got a hold of one of my dogs.”
The Department of Health says an otter was also found with rabies in rural St. Lucie County.
Clint Sperber, administrator for the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County, explained, “on the same day in the other part of the county — the northern part — we learned of an otter that also attacked an animal and we were able to get the otter and have it tested.”
Sperber said it’s the first time he’s seen two animals test positive in unrelated cases.
“If you have a pet, please make sure it’s vaccinated for rabies, keep it on a leash, don’t feed wild animals, and you should be okay,” said Sperber.
The alert will remain in place for the next 60 days. However, the Department of Health urges people not to let their guard down.
Pet owners in River Park said they plan to keep a close eye on their furry friends.
“I don’t get worried, but I spend time watching the dogs when I let them out,” said Dobbs.
“Be aware, that’s our basic thing,” said Kampff.
Rabies alerts are in effect for 60 days from the date of the incident.
The health department said all domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.
The department is also advising residents that rabies activities can also occur outside the alert area.
Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:
• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact St. Lucie County’s Animal Safety, Services & Protection Division at 772-462-8120.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-St. Lucie by calling 772-462-3883.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact St. Lucie County’s Animal Safety, Services & Protection Division at 772-462-8120.
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans, according to the health department.
The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization, the health department said.
For more information, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/rabiesor contact Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County at (772)462-3883.
