STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A rabid raccoon found in Stuart prompted the Florida Department of Health in Martin County to issue a 60-day alert Wednesday.
The raccoon was captured Sunday off South Kanner Highway and later tested positive for rabies, according to the department.
The alert covered an area bounded by Southeast Tressler Drive to the south, Southeast Federal Highway to the east and South Kanner Highway to the west.
Health officials said rabies was present among wild animals in the area and urged residents and visitors to avoid contact with raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes and other wildlife.
Rabies is a deadly viral disease most commonly transmitted through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. An animal with rabies may appear healthy and can behave unusually friendly or aggressively.
People who are bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should wash the wound with soap and water, seek medical attention and report the incident to the Department of Health in Martin County at 772-221-4030. Treatment administered after an exposure can prevent the disease.
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Officials recommended that residents take several precautions:
Keep pets and livestock current on rabies vaccinations.Keep pets leashed and under direct supervision.Avoid handling or feeding wild and stray animals.Do not leave pet food or unsecured garbage outdoors.Prevent bats and other wildlife from entering homes, schools and other occupied buildings.Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator rather than bringing a wild animal into a home.
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Anyone whose pet or livestock is bitten should immediately contact a veterinarian and Martin County Animal Control at 772-463-3211.
Residents can also call animal control to report stray animals in their neighborhoods. More information is available at FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies.