LIVE OAK — For the second straight week, a rabies alert has been issued for Suwannee County.
The Suwannee County Health Department issued a warning Thursday for east central Suwannee County after a confirmed case of rabies was found in a raccoon killed near 89th Road on Saturday.
According to the health department, all residents and visitors should be “aware that rabies may be currently present in the wild animal population.”
The alert issued Thursday, which lasts for 60 days, is for the area bordered by U.S. Highway 90 to the north, 71st drive to the east, 122nd Street to the south and County Road 49 to the west.
That alert follows one that came out April 18 after rabies was found in a fox killed on April 14 for west central Suwannee County near County Road 136 west and centered in between 76th Street (Mitchell Road) to the north, 161st Road to the east, 104th Street (District Line Road) to the south and 193rd Road to the west.
The health department warns that people and domesticated animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals, such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes, which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment.
Receiving appropriate treatment for those exposed will provide protection from the risk of rabies.
DOH-Suwannee suggests in order to prevent rabies exposure that people:
- Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash and keep livestock secured on one’s property. If an animal bites a pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance immediately for the animal and contact the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control at 386-208-0072;
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans or other sources of food. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Suwannee by calling 386-362-2708;
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into one’s home; instead contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation;
- Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from the neighborhood, whether it’s the City of Live Oak’s animal control or the county’s;
- Immunize your pets and livestock on a veterinarian’s recommended schedule; and
- Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they could come into contact with people or pets.