Marion County is facing its third recent rabies alert after a confirmed case was identified in a coyote, just weeks after a cat and raccoon tested positive for the disease.
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) issued another 60-day rabies alert in response to a confirmed case of rabies in a coyote that was captured off SW 49th Ave. Rd. and SW 103rd Street Rd. on December 3.
The alert comes just a couple weeks after a similar alert was issued for a cat that tested positive for the disease. Just days before that, a raccoon was found with rabies In the county.
The previous alert included the following boundaries in Marion County: A northern boundary of Northwest 35th Street, a southern boundary at West Highway 328, an eastern boundary of Northwest 120th Ave., and a western boundary of Northwest 150th Ave.
DOH-Marion is currently monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area, advising all residents and visitors that the disease is present in the wild animal population. The 60-day alert includes the following boundaries:
- Northern boundary: SW 100th Street
- Southern boundary: Cross Florida Greenway Trail
- Eastern boundary: SW 40th Terrace
- Western boundary: SW 62nd Ave. Rd.
All residents must take precautions to prevent rabies exposure by immunizing pets and livestock and keeping them under direct supervision. People must avoid contact with wild or stray animals, which carry a higher risk of human exposure and the need for post-exposure treatment. Wild animals that carry a higher risk include raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes.
Any resident bitten or scratched by an animal should seek medical attention and immediately report the injury to DOH-Marion by calling 352-629-0137. Marion County Animal Services can be contacted at 352-671-8727 to report or remove stray animals.
For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies.