Health Dept. issues guidelines to avoid rabies exposure

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 7, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County Health Department on Thursday received positive rabies results from a stray cat that scratched a woman in the Riverview Gardens subdivision in Ridge Manor.

The woman, a resident of Santa Rosa County, is being treated for rabies exposure at the Santa Rosa Health Department.

Raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks commonly carry the rabies virus, according to the department. Rabbits, squirrels, hamsters, gerbils, rats and other rodents are rarely found to be infected and have not been known to cause rabies in humans in Florida.

The Hernando County Health Department recommends that residents and visitors follow these guidelines to help prevent exposure to rabid animals:

- Vaccinate all dogs, cats and ferrets over the age of 3 months against rabies. Vaccinations should be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

- Avoid all free-roaming dogs, cats and wild animals.

- Do not allow pets to run free. Follow leash laws and keep pets and livestock secured on your property.

- Do not feed or pet wild animals.

- Contact Hernando County Animal Services at (352) 796-5062 to report stray dogs or cats or to report wild animals exhibiting aggressive or unusual behavior. For information, contact the Health Department at 540-6812.

[Last modified September 6, 2007, 20:26:35]