) - The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County has issued a rabies alert in Santa Rosa County in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a fox that was killed in the Chumuckla area off Byrom Campbell Road in Santa Rosa County on Wednesday.
DOH-Santa Rosa is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. Health officials said all residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population.People and domestic 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.
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. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH- Santa Rosa County by calling 850-983-5200.
Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Santa Rosa County Animal Services at 850-983-4680., from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.