Health department issues rabies alert in Osceola after case confirmed in cat

A case of rabies was confirmed in a cat captured Monday in the Mill Creek Woods area in Osceola County, the Florida Department of Health announced in a press release Thursday.

DOH-Osceola is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. The agency advised residents and visitors to be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population.

People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals — raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes — which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment, the agency said. If a person is exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies.

DOH-Osceola said the alert is for 60 days and includes the following county boundaries: northern — 522 E. Osceola Parkway; southern — U.S. Highway 192-Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway; eastern — Florida’s Turnpike; and western — S. John Young Parkway.

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According to the state DOH, in 2023 there were 64 cases of rabies in animals reported including one in Osceola County, six in Orange County and three in Seminole County.

Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:

• Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Osceola Animal Services at 407-742-8000.
• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Osceola by calling 407-343-2155.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Osceola Animal Services at 407-742-8000.
• 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.