ALACHUA COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua) issued a rabies alert for parts of the county Tuesday afternoon.

Health officials say the alert comes after a confirmed case of rabies in three raccoons captured in the southwest area of the city of Alachua and State Road 45 in Alachua County last week. They say they are monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area and informing all residents and visitors that rabies could be currently present in the wild animal population.

Health officials say you and your pets should avoid physical contact with wild animals including raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. They say these animals carry a higher risk of human exposure and a “need for rabies post-exposure treatment.”

“If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies,” said DOH-Alachua in a news release.

DOH-Alachua says the alert is for 60 days and the center of it is the intersection of Northwest 94th Avenue and Northwest 2226 Street/Northwest 234 Street.

It also includes the following boundaries in Alachua County:

  • Southwest of Northwest 122nd Avenue in Alachua
  • East of Northwest State Road 45 (Hwy 27) in Alachua
  • North of Northwest 78th Avenue in Alachua
  • West of Northwest 202nd Street in Alachua

They are asking residents and visitors to take the following precautions:

  • Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
  • Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet happens to bit by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately and contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
  • Call your local animal control agency if you see any stray animals in your neighborhood.
  • Never handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
  • Do not adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
  • Teach your children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if the animal seems friendly.
  • Be sure to prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they could come in contact with people and pets.
  • If you or someone you know has been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals, seek medical attention and report the injury to the FDOH in Alachua County at 352-334-7930.
  • Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
  • Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Alachua by calling 352-334-7930.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
  • Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6880.
  • Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
  • Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other areas where they might contact people and pets.

For more information on rabies, click here.