Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Martin County, Department of Health says

SEAWALL'S POINT, Fla. (CBS12) — A raccoon tested positive for rabies in Martin County, according to health officials. Now residents are urged to take extra precautions when outdoors and avoid contact with wildlife.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Martin County announced on Wednesday that a raccoon at Sewall's Point has tested positive for rabies. The DOH told us Thursday morning that raccoon was captured in the south part of the area, but couldn’t give a more specific location.

Now residents countywide are urged to take extra precautions when outdoors and avoid contact with wildlife.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. CBS12 News reporter Dani Travis asked residents this morning near Sewell’s Point what they thought about a Rabid Raccoon being found in the area. Many saying it’s a concern, especially when it comes to their pets.

“That’s definitely concerning for dogs. I am a dog owner, and I would be on the lookout for a rabid raccoon,” said Jessica Roy, a Stuart local.

“It’s pretty interesting. I thought it was a thing of the past really, well especially not in an area like this. Out in the woods it might be a little different. But vaccinate your pets,” said Trey Land, a Stuart local.

“Dog owners, I’m a dog owner, you gotta be in control of your dog at all times. Can’t run loose, got to have a leash,” said Delroy Jones, a Stuart local.

While all warm-blooded animals can contract rabies, bats are a particularly high-risk carrier in Florida, the FDOH said.

Earlier this year, St. Lucie County officials responded to a bat-related rabies case at a movie theater in Fort Pierce.

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Health officials said there is limited treatment for rabies. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization.

To prevent contracting rabies, protect yourself and your pets by following these precautions:

• Supervise pets: Keep them on leashes and avoid contact with wild or stray animals. If bitten, seek immediate veterinary care and contact animal control.
• Avoid wild animals: Do not handle, feed, or attract them with open trash or litter.
• Report strays/wild animals: Contact Martin County Animal Control at 772-463-3211 to remove them from your neighborhood.
• Vaccinate pets: Follow your veterinarian's recommended vaccination schedule.
• Seal your home: Prevent bats from entering living spaces to minimize contact risk

The FDOH said all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes.

CBS12 News also asked the county’s department of health if the Rabies possibly could have spread to other animals in the area, but they told us no other animals have been tested recently.