Rabies alert issued for Sarasota neighborhood
SARASOTA -- A 60-day rabies alert has been issued for the Honore Avenue and Bahia Vista Street areas of Sarasota County.
Laboratory confirmation was received Wednesday by the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County that a goat that lived in that area and which was discovered acting aggressively, tested positively for rabies, according to a report by the Sarasota County Department of Health.
In an abundance of caution, the goat was euthanized and its head sent to DOH State Lab in Tampa for testing, the report states.
Health officials say another goat in the tribe had been attacked by an unknown animal about 10 days ago.
According to the veterinarians who treated the first goat's injuries, the attacking animal was not large. They believe that it was probably a raccoon or fox.
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.
The rabies alert includes the geographic area north of Bahia Vista Street to Fruitville Road, south of Bahia Vista Street to Bee Ridge Road, east of Honore Avenue to Apex Road and west of Honore Avenue to McIntosh Road, the report states.
All residents, especially in this vicinity, should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated, the report states.
An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies, the report states. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes, according to the report.
If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Sarasota County Animal Services at 941-861-9500.
Unusual acting animals should be reported to Sarasota County Animal Services at 941-861-9500 for handling. 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 Sarasota County at 941-861-6133 in Sarasota, the report states.
For more information call the Department of Health in Sarasota County Environmental Health office at 941-861-6133 or Sarasota County Animal Services at 941-861-9500.