Rabies Alert for portions of Levy County, FL
Bronson, Florida – The Florida Department of Health in Levy County has issued a rabies alert for portions of the county, in response to a number of raccoons that have tested positive in the past few weeks in the Trenton, Chiefland and Bronson areas.
It should be noted that rabies is present in the wild animal population, and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not get a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.
This rabies alert is for 60 days, through March 14, 2022, for the northeastern Levy County and areas near Trenton, Chiefland and Bronson: Areas east of U.S Hwy 98 and north of SR 24 northward to the county line and Trenton area
Positive Rabies Locations:
BRONON, FL 32621: 8690 NE 110th Avenue
CHIEFLAND, FL 32626: 1805 SW 14th Street
TRENTON, FL 32693: 750 NE 155th Street and 770 NW 160th Street
An animal with rabies could infect other wild or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact animal control at 352-486-5138.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Levy County at 352-486-5300.
For further information on rabies, go to www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html or call the Florida Department of Health in Levy County at 352-486-5300, or Levy County Animal Control at 352-486-5138.