- March 28, 2024
Loading
The Florida Department of Health in Orange County recently confirmed a second case of rabies in a Winter Park neighborhood in as many weeks.
The department’s Environmental Health program confirmed rabies in a raccoon found March 27 in the block between Staunton Avenue and Biscayne Drive. The department previously issued a rabies alert March 14 in response to a rabid cat found in an area near Biscayne Drive and Formosa Avenue.
The second confirmation reset the department’s rabies alert back to 60 days.
It’s a common situation, according to Florida Department of Health for Orange County Public Information Officer Kent Donahue. The department’s State Epidemiology Department confirmed multiple rabies alerts in Polk County and Leon County.
It’s less common in Winter Park — the FDOH did not release a single rabies alert for Winter Park in all of 2018, Donahue said.
Rabies transmission is exacerbated by groups of stray and feral animals gathering in certain areas, according to Donahue. Greater numbers of animals leads to a greater chance of a rabid animal transferring the disease.
“In a lot of communities around the country, these cat colonies of stray or feral cats get big and seem to hang around areas with food sources,“ Donahue said. “Which you’d understand — restaurants, things of that nature. Usually (rabies) is transmitted from a wild creature to a feral cat.”
He said the main problem that exacerbates rabies transmission is those colonies gathering around areas that have excess food or leave garbage out in unsecured trash cans.
“It’s the source — you have to have water and you have to have food,” Donahue said. “At some point, these animals are interacting, and that’s the most common way. … We’re very adamant: Don’t leave food outside. Secure your garbage cans. That goes for residents and that goes for restaurant owners, and their management and restaurant staff.”
Donahue stressed for people to refrain from leaving food outside, for their own pets or for sympathy to strays.
He also encouraged residents to have their pets up-to-date on their vaccinations and to supervise their parents and children and that the FDOH has been in contact with residents in the area to inform them of the problem. Donahue said they have also been in contact with schools in Winter Park.
The city of Maitland recently faced its own rabies issue in January with a number of rabid otters attacking citizens along Lake Maitland and Lake Lily.
Anyone bitten by a wild animal should seek medical help and contact the DOH at (407) 858-1400.
FDOH Advice
For general questions pertaining to animals, contact Orange County Animal Services (407) 254-9150.
All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
Do not leave pet food outside. This also attracts other animals.
Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially feral cats, raccoons, bats and foxes.
If bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, seek medical attention, and promptly report the incident to Orange County Animal Services.
Rabies is preventable when treatment is provided in a timely manner.