A raccoon found near The Villages has tested positive for rabies.
The Departments of Health in Marion and Sumter counties are warning residents in the Summerfield/Oxford area and the northwest portion of The Villages to maintain a heightened awareness of wildlife. That particularly includes those who live or work in the area north of Sumter County Road 202, south of SE Highway 42 in Marion County, west of SE 76th Champion Avenue in The Villages, and east of Sumter County Road 200.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
- Avoid all contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Never handle unfamiliar animals (wild or domestic), even if they appear friendly.
- Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or trash.
- Keep rabies vaccinations current for all pets.
- Keep pets under direct supervision so that they do not come into contact with wild animals.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might encounter people and pets.
An animal with rabies could infect other animals that have not received a rabies vaccination. Domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated, while rabies is always a danger in wild animal populations. Residents who live in nearby areas should maintain a heightened awareness as well.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to humans and warm-blooded animals. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.
If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to your county health department. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate veterinary assistance for the animal and contact your county’s Animal Services department.
For more information on rabies, click HERE.
