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HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE RABIES ALERT FOR DELANEY PARK AREA NEAR FERNCREEK AVENUE

By Kent Donahue

December 29, 2020

Contact:

Kent Donahue

December 29, 2020

407-858-1418

407-912-0132

Kent.Donahue@flhealth.gov

  

HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE RABIES ALERT FOR DELANEY PARK AREA NEAR FERNCREEK AVENUE

Orlando, Florida – The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) issued a rabies alert for the Delaney Park and surrounding neighborhoods. This is in response to an otter that tested positive on 12/29/2020.

All residents and visitors in Orange County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Orange County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. Please be aware that rabies activities can also occur outside the alert area.

This rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is at Ferncreek Avenue, and includes the following boundaries in Orange County:

  • SR-408/East Anderson Street
  • I-4/Division Avenue
  • Holden Avenue
  • SR-15/Conway Road

An animal with rabies could infect 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 and at-risk livestock.
  • Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Orange County Animal Services at (407) 836-3111.
  • Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
  • Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

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