Rabies cases are rising in Manatee County. Here’s how to protect yourself and pets
The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is reminding the public to stay away from wild or stray animals out of concern that they could be carrying rabies, the department said recently in a press release.
Eight Manatee County residents have been exposed to rabies in the past two months, either by being bitten, scratched or another situation, according to data collected by the Florida Department of Health website CHARTS, which track infectious disease in every county in the state.
The report shows one animal in the area has been confirmed to have rabies, but it does not say which species.
In June, four people reported being exposed to rabies in the Bradenton area. In July, four more people reported being bitten, scratched or contact with the virus, followed by five so far in August.
In the same time frame, Sarasota County has reported three possible cases, and during the first five months of 2022, only three rabies cases had been reported in Manatee County.
Mainly, raccoons, bats, unvaccinated cats and foxes are the animals most commonly diagnosed with rabies. Other animals at high risk include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, stray dogs and ferrets.
To remove wild animals in the neighborhood that could potentially have rabies, contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922. For assistance with aggressive and/or stray domestic animals in the neighborhood, contact call Manatee County Animal Welfare (MCAW) at (941) 742-5933.
Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not contract rabies.
How rabies is passed on
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rabies virus is transmitted from direct contact with infected animals through bites and scratches.
The health department advises people who believe they may have been exposed to rabies to contact their health care provider and their county health department immediately.
How to prevent being exposed to rabies
The Florida Department of Health also shared these four tips on how residents can limit their chances of contacting the rabies virus:
- Avoiding direct contact with wildlife
- Do not feed wildlife
- Consulting a veterinarian to ensure pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations
- Supervising pets and young children while outside
In addition, if bitten by a suspected rabid animal, seek immediate treatment to prevent contracting the disease. Immediately wash animal bites and scratches with soap and water and call MCAW at (941) 742-5933 (press option 1) to report the bite.
How rabies affects humans and animals
Here are details of how rabies affects people and animals once in their blood streams, according to the Florida Department of Health:
Once a person or animal is bitten by a rabid animal, the rabies virus enters the wound from the infected saliva. For the first 3 to 12 weeks, a person or animal that was bitten by a rabid animal experiences no illness. However, the virus continues to travel throughout the body specifically through the nerves, to the spinal cord, and then to the brain.
After the virus reaches the brain, it multiplies rapidly and travels to the salivary glands causing the infected individual or animal to begin showing signs and symptoms similar to the flu.
Residents at higher risk of exposure to rabies should consider getting rabies shots for themselves if they aren’t already vaccinated.
What’s in a rabies shot?
People infected with rabies are given are given postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) which consists of a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine, according to the CDC.
The rabies shot is given on the day of the rabies exposure and again on days 3, 7 and 14,other vaccines also are available, the health departments release said.
For more information on rabies, visit the CDC’s page at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html or call DOH-Manatee at (941) 748-0747.
This story was originally published August 22, 2022 at 11:29 AM.
