Rabid Fox Bites Three In Bratt, Rabid Bat Reported In Florida; Now A Rabid Bat Is Confirmed Close to Flomaton : NorthEscambia.com

Days after three folks had been bitten by a rabid fox in Bratt and somebody had an encounter with a rabid bat in Escambia County, Florida, officers say somebody was uncovered to a rabid bat close to Flomaton.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Division of Public Well being (ADPH) confirmed the rabies publicity close to Flomaton.

“This must be a stern reminder that every one pets must be correctly vaccinated towards rabies, given the circumstances of rabid animals now in the identical normal space,” Alabama Public Well being Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones stated.

Final Friday, the Florida Division of Well being (DOH-Escambia) issued a Rabies Alert for Escambia County, Florida, after three folks had been confirmed to be uncovered to a rabid fox and one particular person was uncovered to a rabid bat.

Whereas the Escambia well being division didn’t specify a location, NorthEscambia.com independently confirmed that three folks had been bit by a rabid fox in Bratt, within the normal space of Northview Excessive College and Travis Nelson Park.

“Rabies is a doubtlessly deadly illness. It’s important to not deal with wild animals, to pay attention to uncommon performing animals, and to maintain pets vaccinated towards rabies,” stated Marie Mott, DOH-Escambia administrator.

Mott really useful the next precautions:

• Preserve rabies vaccinations updated for all pets and at-risk livestock.
• Don’t enable your pets to run free. Comply with leash legal guidelines by protecting pets and livestock secured in your property.  In case your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, search veterinary help for the animal instantly and speak to Escambia County Animal Providers at (850) 595-0097.
• Assist animal management in efforts to scale back feral and stray animal populations.
• Spay or neuter your pets to assist cut back the variety of undesirable pets that will not be correctly cared for or often vaccinated.
• Don’t deal with, feed, or unintentionally entice wild animals with outside meals sources resembling uncovered trash or litter.
• By no means undertake wild animals or deliver them into your own home.
• Train kids by no means to deal with unfamiliar animals, wild or home, even when they seem pleasant.
• Forestall bats from coming into dwelling quarters or occupied areas in houses, church buildings, colleges, and different related areas, the place they may are available in contact with folks and pets.
• Individuals who’ve been bitten or scratched by wild or home animals ought to search medical consideration and report the damage to the DOH-Escambia at (850) 595-6700.