Dr. Karen Chapman, Director, Okaloosa County Health Department, has issued a rabies alert for a geographical region between Baker and Holt. This is in response to 2 fox that tested positive for rabies within the past 6 weeks.

All citizens in Okaloosa County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Okaloosa County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.

The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert includes the following area boundaries in Okaloosa County:

• Griffith Mill Road – western boundary
• Keyser Mill Road – northern boundary
• Letterman Road – eastern boundary
• Highway 90 – southern boundary

An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, including and especially raccoons, bats, and foxes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease.

The following advice is issued:

• All pets should have current rabies immunizations given by a licensed veterinarian.
• Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, and foxes.
• Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
• Do not leave pet food or water outside. This also attracts other animals.
• All persons with any unusual exposure incident, or bites, with a wild animal should seek medical attention and contact the Okaloosa County Health Department at 850-689-7859.
• For general questions pertaining to animals, contact the Okaloosa County Animal Services at 850-243-1525 or your city animal control agency.
• For questions regarding the health of an animal, contact a veterinarian.
• Veterinarian staff and animal control staff should be alert for animals encountered with signs suspicious for rabies and contact the Okaloosa County Health Department at 850-689-7859.

For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/epi/diseases.htm or contact Okaloosa County Health Department, Environmental Health office, 850-689-7859.