Rabies alert issued across Port St. John after raccoon tests positive for virus
A raccoon has tested positive for the rabies virus, prompting the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County to issue a 60-day rabies alert across most of Port St. John.
The rabid raccoon tested positive Wednesday. The 60-day rabies alert extends across a geographic area centered by Everglades Street, a residential road south of Curtis Boulevard.
Boundaries of the rabies-alert zone:
Kings Highway to the north.
U.S. 1 to the east.
Grissom Parkway to the west.
Fay Boulevard to the south.
"Since rabies is present in the wild animal population, domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated," Brevard County Emergency Management officials said in a Facebook post.
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Brevard emergency officials distributed a map depicting the rabies-alert area via Sunday text alert. Health officials advise residents to avoid all contact with wildlife — particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.
"The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Brevard County. Please be aware that rabies activities can also occur outside the alert area," a DOH-Brevard press release said.
The health department advises Brevard residents and visitors to take these precautions:
Keep rabies vaccinations up-to-date for pets and at-risk livestock.
Do not allow pets to run free.
Do nothandle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources, such as uncovered trash or litter.
Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals — wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
People or pets that have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the incident to Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services at 321-633-2024.
For more information on rabies, visit the Florida DOH website or call 321-634-6337 and select option 3.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Rabies alert issued in Port St. John after raccoon tests positive
