UPDATE: This story was edited for clarity.
A cat with rabies was caught in downtown Ocala just a couple of days after a raccoon was found with the disease, prompting local health officials to issue the second alert for the disease in the past week.
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) has issued a rabies alert following another confirmed case of the virus in a cat in Ocala.
The alert was issued on Thursday and is effective immediately.
It comes just days after authorities issued a similar alert for a raccoon.
DOH-Marion is currently engaged in monitoring rabies activity among wild animal populations throughout the area, according to a statement from the organization.
The department warns that all people and domestic animals should strictly avoid all physical contact with wildlife, including raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. These animals carry a significantly higher risk of human exposure and necessitate immediate rabies post-exposure treatment.
This official 60-day rabies alert includes the following boundaries in Marion County: The northern boundary is Northwest 35th Street, the southern boundary is West Highway 328, the eastern boundary is Northwest 120th Ave., and the western boundary is Northwest 150th Ave.
If you or your pets are exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately contact Marion County Animal Services at 352-671-8700 and the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at 352-629-0137. Receiving appropriate treatment after exposure is critical and highly effective in preventing the development of rabies.
To protect public health, all residents must take immediate precautions. Residents are advised to ensure pets and livestock are current on their immunizations as recommended by a veterinarian, and to keep all domestic animals under direct supervision and properly secured.
Residents are also advised to avoid all contact with wild or stray animals; do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them by leaving out pet food or open garbage.
If you have been bitten or scratched by any animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Marion by calling 352-629-0137. Never attempt to adopt or house wild animals; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and take steps to prevent all wildlife, especially bats, from entering homes or occupied spaces.
For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Marion at 352-629-0137.