Officials say rabies still a threat in area

Although last week’s rabies warning does not include South Walton, Walton County Health Department officials have urged the beach communities to still remain cautious.
“We haven’t had this many (cases) in the area in a long time,” said WCHD Environmental Supervisor Ewa Bearden. “If they start going in the south direction, we will begin to include different areas (in the warning).”
Raccoons tested positive for the disease on May 1, 5 and June 4, prompting a 60-day warning for the County Road 185 and State Road 83 areas in the northern part of the county.
According to Florida Department of Health statistics, these were the first reported cases of animal rabies for Walton County this year.
Bearden said the warning could be extended for longer than 60 days if more animals tested positive for the disease.
Rabies is a viral disease in mammals that causes inflammation of the brain and is contracted by a bite or close contact with a carrier.
If a human is bitten and contracts rabies, they have 10 days to receive treatment before it becomes incurable and ultimately fatal.
The good news is, there are vaccines readily available if you do contract the disease.
“There are some restrictions for rabies pre-exposure vaccination, but no lack of vaccine for post-exposure treatment,” said FDH Press Secretary Susan Smith. “The restrictions on pre-exposure vaccination are anticipated to be short term (several months) according to information provided by the vaccine companies and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).”
Raccoons and foxes are the most common carriers of the disease in Florida, but dogs, cats and coyotes are all known carriers.
Most small animals do not carry the disease because it will typically kill them before they can pass it on – the exception to this rule is the insectivorous (eating insects) bat and squirrels.
Bearden said the most notable sign of an animal that has rabies is if it is outside during the day when it typically wouldn’t be.
Other signs include: foaming at the mouth, lethargic or very aggressive behavior, attacking without being provoked and seeming tame.
According to the CDC, between 1990 and 2004 there were 47 cases of human rabies reported in the United States. In that time period, there were two reported rabies cases in Florida, but both of which were contracted outside of the state.
Although the likelihood of contracting rabies is small, the easiest way to avoid the risk of contraction is to not approach any wild animals.
“During the spring and early summer there are many young wildlife out and about including baby raccoons, bats and foxes,” said Smith. “The public should not be tempted to handle these animals, but should contact their local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control or the local humane society if it appears these animals need assistance.”