Florida health department of Palm Beach County warning about raccoons with rabies in our area. Please keep an eye out and report any suspicious animals to animal control. Info below:

West Palm Beach- Florida Department of Health Laboratory confirmed today that a raccoon acting aggressive and had scratched and bitten a worker in Breakers West has tested positive for rabies.

Animal Care & Control was notified Friday, May 4, that a raccoon in Breakers West was acting aggressive and had bitten a worker. A local trapper was also called and was able to capture the raccoon and delivered it to Animal Care and Control for testing. The individual was treated for the wound and has begun a five shot series of preventive rabies vaccine.

According to the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County this is the fourth confirmed rabid animal this year in the county. Residents and visitors to Breakers West are cautioned to avoid contact with any wildlife and report suspicious animals to Animal Care and Control.

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. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.

The following advice is issued:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.

• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals.

If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately

and contact Animal Care & Control at 561-233-1200.

• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your

neighborhood.

• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be

properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

• 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.

For further information on rabies, go to the Florida Department of Health website:

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html

or contact the Florida Health Palm Beach County, 561-840-4500. Animals exhibiting signs of sickness and aggressive behavior should be reported to Animal Control at 561-233-1200.