2 more positive Kendall raccoon tests for rabies

KENDALL, FL – Two more raccoons have tested positive for rabies in the Kendall area, according to state health authorities. The Kendall Alert will remain in effect for at least another 60 days. With these new cases, the authorities said that a total of five raccoons had been tested positive for the deadly disease this year in Miami-Dade County.

"These two raccoons had neurological symptoms but no known human exposure," health officials said Saturday.

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Health officials advised residents to avoid contact with all wild animals, especially raccoons.

"This is the confirmed rabid animal and the fifth rabid raccoon identified in the county and the second enraged raccoon identified at Miami-Dade in Miami-Dade in 2018," officials said.

"An animal with rabies could infect other wild or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies," said the Miami-Dade County Florida Health Department. "All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and any contact with wildlife should be avoided, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, lynx and coyotes."

The alert covers the area within the following limits:

• SW 152nd Street North
• SW 187th Street South
• SW 117th Avenue to the east
• SW 137th Avenue to the west

The World Health Organization describes rabies as an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal after the onset of clinical signs.

The raccoon is about the size of a small dog and is distinguished by its black mask and ringed tail. Most raccoons weigh between 8 and 15 pounds, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are common throughout the state, including urban areas, and can be found wherever there are trees. Raccoons also tend to stay near a source of water.

"Raccoons are some of Florida's smartest animals, feeding on fruits, plant material, eggs, shellfish, small animals and even waste," according to FWC. They usually become active late in the afternoon and all night, but may change this pattern depending on food availability.

"In 99% of human cases, the rabies virus is transmitted by domestic dogs," according to the WHO. "Rabies affects domestic and wild animals and is transmitted to people through bites or scratches, usually through saliva."

Rabies is present on every continent with the exception of Antarctica, but more than 95% of human deaths occur in Asia and Africa, according to WHO.

The Florida Department of Health reports that the virus can spread to unvaccinated animals, which then pose a high risk to the owner of the animal and his family.

"The main sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats, and raccoons and infected bats can expose people, pets, livestock, and other wildlife to rabies." said the agency. "Outdoor cats are by far the most common pet in the state of Florida, largely because they are not aware of rabies vaccinations.The law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets are vaccinated against rabies in the state of Florida. "

Here are some tips from the Ministry of Health to avoid exposure:

• Keep rabies vaccines up to date for all animals.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so that they do not come into contact with wild animals and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1 if you have any concerns.
• Call 3-1-1 to report any stray dogs in your neighborhood or private property. Owners can hire a nuisance wildlife trapper for the removal of wildlife.
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately from the animal and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1.
• Do not handle, feed, or accidentally destroy wildlife with open garbage cans or cubs.
• Do not leave food sources for bushfires such as pet food or unsafe garbage.
• Avoid contact with strays and wild animals.
• Never adopt wild animals and do not bring them to your home.
• Teach children never to handle unknown, wild or domestic animals, even if they seem friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering homes or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar places where they might come in contact with people and pets.
• People bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-324-2400.

"Rabies-specific immunoglobulins and anti-rabies vaccination are the only treatments for human exposure to rabies," health officials warned. "Proper treatment, set up soon after exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease."

For more information on rabies, click here, call 305-324-2400 or call the Miami-Dade County Animal Service at 3-1-1.

A raccoon like this one has proven positive to the deadly disease of rabies. Photo courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.