Rabid raccoon bit person in suburban Boca Raton, health officials say
BOCA RATON — A racoon that bit a person in suburban Boca Raton tested positive for rabies, the Florida Department of Health-Palm Beach County said Friday.
The incident took place Thursday on the 10000 block of Marina Way, west of State Road 7 and north of Glades Road. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control caught the animal sent it for testing.
The department urged residents of the area to avoid contact with any wildlife, including feral and "community" cats, and to report suspicious animals to Animal Care and Control.
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What is rabies?
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to humans and warm-blooded animals if not treated.
The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is a rabies immunization and injections of rabies-specific immune globulin started promptly after the bite.
The department did not detail what treatment the bite victim has received.
How to keep your pets safe
Health officials offer these tips to keep pets safe:
Keep rabies vaccinations up to date.
Keep your pets under direct supervision.
Report stray animals to Animal Care and Control.
Do not feed handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open trash cans or litter.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
For more information, call the health department at 561-840-4500 and ask to speak with its epidemiology section. Contact Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control at 561-233-1200 if animals show signs of sickness and aggressive behavior.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Rabies found in raccoon that bit person near Boca Raton, officials say
