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PANAMA CITY, Florida (WJHG / WECP) – A raccoon caught in an area near the intersection of Cove Boulevard and Cherry Street has been tested positive for rabies.
This is the sixth laboratory-confirmed rabid animal in Bay County in 2018 and the second at The Cove.
A rabid raccoon was captured north of the Merriam Cherry Street Elementary School in February.
Rabies is a fatal viral infection of the nervous system transmitted from the animal to the animal or animal by a bite, scratch or mucosal exposure to the infected saliva.
Florida law requires that dogs and cats four months old or older be vaccinated by a licensed rabies veterinarian. Cats are the pets most likely to be infected with rabies. It is advisable to keep cats indoors.
Feeding raccoons, intentionally or not, is illegal in Florida.
Officials say to feed the dogs and cats indoors and keep the garbage covered. Feeding raccoons concentrates raccoons at abnormally high densities and increases the likelihood of transmission of raccoon rabies to the raccoon and raccoon to animals and humans.
Officials also say not to move raccoons to other regions. Infected raccoons may look normal. Relocation of an infected raccoon can spread rabies.
To avoid being bitten:
Do not approach any pets or wild animals.
Do not feed or attempt to pet or handle stray domestic animals or wildlife.
Do not disturb an animal that sleeps, eats or cares for its young.
If a strange animal walks towards you, stay calm and move slowly away.
If you are bitten by a stray or wild animal, dial 911.
Take care of the bite:
Before treating the wound, wash your hands with soap and clean, cool water.
Remove any object that may heal the wound.
Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
After stopping bleeding, pour bottled or clean running water over the wound.
Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
Dry and use an adhesive bandage or a clean dry cloth to cover the wound.
Leave unclean wounds open.
If you are bitten, report the sting to your local animal control agency.
The Bay County Animal Service can be reached at 850-767-3333.
In Lynn Haven, call the Lynn Haven Police Department at 850-265-1112.
Tell the animal control officer everything you know about the animal and where he went. Also report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Bay County at 850-872-4455.
Rabies is preventable when treatment is provided in a timely manner.
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