NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County has issued a rabies alert for the Yulee area after a fox tested positive for rabies.
The alert will remain in effect for 60 days and includes the following boundaries in Nassau County:
- St. Marys River to the north
- Barnwell Road to the east
- U.S. Highway 17 to the west
- State Road 200 to the south
#Breaking #OneNassau #RabiesAlert pic.twitter.com/WUCqdeCnyj
— NassauEM (@NassauEM) May 6, 2021
Nassau County Emergency Management said residents should note that rabies may be infecting wildlife outside of the area described and they should also take precautions.
With rabies present in the wild animal population, domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated.
An animal with rabies may appear sick or lethargic, have problems swallowing, or drool or salivate excessively. A wild animal may appear tamer than usual and some animals may have no visible symptoms.
All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to all warm-blooded animals and humans.
The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment must be started soon after the exposure to protect an exposed person from the disease.
If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention immediately, and report the injury to the health department at 904-875-6100.
If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate veterinary assistance for the animal and contact Nassau County Animal Services at 904-530-6150.