Another rabid raccoon caught in Bay County

Bay County, Florida – A raccoon caught in an area near the intersection of Cove Boulevard and Cherry Street has been tested positive for rabies, Bay County health officials said Wednesday.

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.

The Department of Health offered these tips and warnings about rabies:

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. Keep the cats indoors.

Feeding raccoons, intentionally or not, is illegal in Florida. Feed the dogs and cats indoors and keep the garbage covered. Raccoons feed on raccoons at abnormally high densities and increase the risk of transmission of raccoon raccoon and raccoon rabies to pets and humans.

Do not move raccoons to other areas. 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 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.

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. To follow. Rabies is preventable when treatment is provided in a timely manner.

For more information on rabies, check out the Florida Department of Health's website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/rabies/rabies-index. html or contact the Florida Department of Health of Bay County. at 850-872-4720 or follow us on Twitter @FLHealthEmerald.