The Clay County Health Department has issued a rabies alert for the Middleburg area in response to a rabid dog.

The alert is for the 32068 ZIP code west of Mimosa Avenue South, east of Hardy Padgett Road, south of State Road 218 and north of Camp Blanding.

Health officials said they have identified three non-bite human exposures. They said a family dog was taken to a vet because it was sick and tested positive for rabies.

No family members were bitten, but people can be exposed to rabies by contact of dog saliva on the skin or an open wound.

This case marks the first dog-borne rabies alert in Florida this year.

Residents and visitors in Clay 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 Clay County.

The rabies alert is for 60 days.

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, particularly with raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

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.

Health officials offer the following advice:

• All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
  
• Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
• Do not leave pet food outside. This also attracts other animals.
• 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 use appropriate precautions, especially when working with unvaccinated animals.
• People who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Clay County Animal Control at 904-269-6342.
• Rabies is preventable when treatment is provided in a timely manner.
• Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, and foxes.
• No animal is too young to have rabies.
  

For general questions pertaining to animals, contact the Clay County Animal Control. For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website or contact Clay County Health Department 904-529-2852.