Rabid Raccoon Killed in College Point Area - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Rabid Raccoon Killed in College Point Area

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By Ken McVay - bio | email

A raccoon killed near the north end of College Point has tested positive for rabies. 

This is the fourth Bay County animal testing positive for rabies in 2013.  Other areas with confirmed rabid animals in 2013 include the City of Parker at north 9th Street and Lake Drive, the east end of the Laguna Beach area of Panama City Beach, and Southport off Highway 2302. 

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County is reminding dog and cat owners that Florida law requires all dogs and cats over four months of age be currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian.  Most laboratory confirmed rabid raccoons are killed by dogs and domestic cats are the animal third most likely to test positive for rabies for in our area. An unvaccinated pet increases your family's risk for exposure to this deadly disease. Vaccines purchased at "feed stores" and given by the animal's owner do not meet this requirement. Dogs and cats without a current rabies vaccination should not be left outside unsupervised.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans.  The rabies virus is secreted in the saliva of an infected animal or human.  Exposure to the virus can be through broken skin (bites, scratches) or mucous membrane (eyes, nose, mouth) contact with infected saliva or tissues. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization.  Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County would like to remind citizens that it is illegal to feed raccoons, either directly or indirectly.  Feeding raccoons artificially increases their population and increases the likelihood diseases like rabies will spread and conflicts with domestic animals will occur.  All wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

The following advice is issued:

  • Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
  • Do not leave pet food outside overnight as this attracts wild animals to your home and increases  the chance of a pet-raccoon conflict.
  • If bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water.  Seek  medical treatment as needed and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Bay   County at (850) 872-4720, X1125.  If the animal is stray or wild, call 911 or Bay County Animal  Control at  (850) 248-6034 and report its location.   Follow up.  Rabies is preventable when  treatment is provided in a timely manner.
  • If your dog or cat fights with a wild animal, contact the Florida Department of Health in Bay County  immediately.  The wild animal will need to be tested for rabies.  Your animal may need to be quarantined.  Do not shoot suspected rabid animals in the head.
  • Do not touch animals that are not yours.  Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially raccoons,   bats, bobcats, otters, foxes, skunks and coyotes. No animal is too young to have rabies.  A rabid animal may act friendly.
  • Wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear when dressing/butchering wild animals to avoid exposure to rabies and other diseases.  Cook all meat thoroughly to 165 degrees.
  • For general questions pertaining to stray animals or odd acting wild animals, contact Bay County  Animal Control at (850) 248-6034.
  • For questions regarding the health of an animal, contact a veterinarian.
  • Teach your children about rabies and to never touch a bat.

 For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website: website http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/rabies/rabies-index.html or contact the Florida Department of Health in Bay County at 850-872-4720, X1125.