VALRICO -- Officials with the Florida Department of Health say Hillsborough County has its first reported case of rabies in an animal this year.
On January 25th, a man was bitten and scratched while pulling a raccoon off one of his two dogs on Laurel Pointe Drive.
The man is being treated for his exposure and both dogs will receive booster shots, and will be quarantined for 45 days.
In all of 2019, Hillsborough County identified only one rabid animal, in the Riverview area, also a raccoon.
The health department says this incident serves as a reminder to make sure pets' vaccinations are up-to-date. Rabies is a nervous system disease that is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans.
As this is a single case involving wildlife, no rabies alert has been issued.
The DOH urges the following precautions:
• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8059.
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8059
Photo Credit: FDOH