Florida health officials issue rabies alert for Melbourne area

The Florida Department of Health issued a rabies alert Thursday for the Melbourne area and is asking the public to take precautions, after a stray cat tested positive for rabies.

FDOH issued the alert in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a stray cat that was killed in the LynnAvenue area off of Laurie Street in Brevard County on July 17.

"DOH-Brevard is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. All residents and visitors should be awarethat rabies is currently present in the wild animal population," the health department said in a press release."People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g.,raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of humanexposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment."

Anyone exposed to rabies should seek immediate, appropriate treatment after exposure, which will protect you from the risk of rabies.

Thursday's was the third rabies warning in the Melbourne area this year. In June, FDOH issued a similar rabies advisory after raccoon captured on May 26 near Breeze Lane and Lorna Drive, just east of N. Wickham Road in the Melbourne area, had tested positive, and in April when another racoon tested positive on Hield Road off Minton Road on April 16.

What are the boundaries of the rabies alert?

This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Brevard County:

• Northern boundary: North Harbor City Boulevard
• Southern boundary: Lorraine Drive
• Eastern boundary: South Babcock Street
• Western boundary: Magnolia Avenue

What precautions should I take?

Residents and visitors should be aware that rabies may be currently present in the wild animal population in that area.

FDOH says to take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:

• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash and livestock secured on your property.
• If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Brevard by calling 321-634-6337 (option 3).
• If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance immediately and contact Brevard County Sherriff’s Office Animal Services at (321) 633-2024, and contact animal services to remove suspicious stray animals.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally lure stray animals with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
• Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.

For information on rabies, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Brevardat 321-634-6337 option 3, or Brevard County Animal services at 321-633-2024.