Santa Rosa under rabies alert after rabid fox killed in Chumuckla area

News Journal/USA TODAY NETWORK
·5 min read

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County has issued a rabies alert in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a fox that was killed in the Chumuckla area on Wednesday.

The animal was killed off Byrom Campbell Road, and all residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population. The health department is monitoring for rabies among wild animals in the area.

People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes), which 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.

This rabies alert is for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Santa Rosa County:

  • Northern boundary: County Road 182

  • Southern boundary: Rock Creek Road

  • Eastern boundary: Salter Road

  • Western boundary: Roy Cook Road

What are the signs and symptoms of rabies?

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

After a rabies exposure, the rabies virus has to travel to the brain before it can cause symptoms, This time between exposure and appearance of symptoms is theincubation period.It may last for weeks to months. The incubation period may vary based on the location of the exposure site (how far away it is from the brain), the type of rabies virus, and any existing immunity.

The first symptoms of rabies may be similar to the flu, including weakness or discomfort, fever or headache. There also may be discomfort, prickling, or an itching sensation at the site of the bite. These symptoms may last for days.

Symptoms then progress to cerebral dysfunction, anxiety, confusion and agitation. As the disease progresses, the person may experience delirium, abnormal behavior, hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), and insomnia. The acute period of disease typically ends after 2 to 10 days. Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal, and treatment is typically supportive. Less than 20 cases of human survival from clinical rabies have been documented.

Related: Rabies exposure cases in Escambia, Santa Rosa counties are up. How to stay safe

According to the Florida Department of Health, the virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family. The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people, pets, livestock and other wildlife to rabies, typically through bites.

Outside cats are by far the most common domestic animal found to have rabies in Florida largely because they are often not kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in Florida.

How is rabies spread?

When an animal is sick with rabies, the virus is shed in the saliva and can be passed to another animal or a person, usually through a bite. Transmission may also occur if this saliva or the animal's nervous tissue enters open wounds, the mouth, nose, or eyes of another animal or person.

What do rabid animals look like?

Animals with rabies may show strange behavior - they can be aggressive, attacking for no apparent reason, or act very tame (especially wild animals). They may not be able to eat, drink or swallow. They may drool because they are unable to swallow their saliva. They may stagger or become paralyzed. Eventually they will die.

What do I do if an animal bites me?

  • Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to 10 minutes.

  • Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be contained by animal control for quarantine or rabies testing.

  • Go to your health care provider or the nearest emergency room.

  • Call your local county health department or animal control agency with the description and location of the animal. The animal will either be quarantined for 10 days (if it is a dog, cat, or ferret) or be tested for rabies.

  • If the animal is deceased, be careful not to damage the head, and avoid further contact.

What do I do if my pet is attacked by a wild animal?

If your animal is attacked by a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal, DO NOT examine your pet for injuries without wearing gloves. Wash your pet with soap and water to remove any saliva from the attacking animal. Do not let your animal come into contact with other animals or people until the situation can be dealt with by animal control or county health department staff.

Take the following precautions to prevent rabies exposure:

  • Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.

  • 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 Santa Rosa County Animal Services at 850-983-4680.

  • 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.

  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

  • Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Santa Rosa County Animal Services at 850-983-4680.

  • Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.

For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Santa Rosa 850-983-5200.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa county rabies alert in effect after rabid fox killed