Rabies warning issued near Disney's Epcot theme park



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Cat sitting still while a veterinarian administers his vaccines.

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Vacationers visiting the Epcot Theme Park at Walt Disney World Park may want to keep an eye out for wild cats after the Florida Department of Health, in Orange County, issued a warning of rabies in the area as a result of the discovery of an infected cat.

Health officials launched the alert on Tuesday following the discovery of a virus-free virus-dominated cat near the intersection of Interstate 4 and Airbus. 39; Epcot Center Drive, in southwestern Orange County. The alert concerns a radius of three kilometers around the intersection and must last 60 days.

According to Disney spokeswoman, two employees were scratched by the cat near an office building located about three kilometers from Epcot. Both employees have since returned to work.

Portions of Epcot, which according to the Themed Entertainment Association, welcomed about 12.4 million visitors last year, are found in the affected area. Epcot is the only Disney park within a radius of three kilometers.

The magical kingdom and animal kingdom of Disney, home to a number of wildlife, are about four and five miles from Epcot respectively.

Visitors and residents of the area were advised to avoid wild animals as they might have been infected with the disease. Rabies is a potentially lethal virus that attacks the central nervous system and is usually transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals.

Animals with rabies can exhibit symptoms of aggression, fever, loss of appetite and paralysis. Orange County officials warned anyone who may have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal to wash immediately and see a doctor.

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