Health officials are warning Marion County residents and visitors to avoid contact with wildlife after another raccoon tested positive for rabies in Ocala, marking the latest in a series of confirmed cases in the area over the past several months.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) issued the 60-day alert on Wednesday, May 13, in response to a raccoon that was killed on May 11 in an area off SE 8th Street.

The current alert remains in effect for a specific zone in Ocala bounded by NE 8th Street to the north, SE 22nd Road to the south, SE 22nd Loop to the east, and SW 4th Avenue to the west.

This latest incident follows a spike in activity documented earlier this year.

In March, health officials issued warnings after two separate raccoons tested positive for the virus within weeks of each other in the Huntington and Belleview areas.

In February, a raccoon tested positive for the disease near U.S. Route 441 and SE 132nd Street Road in Belleview.

Three other cases involving a coyote, a cat, and another raccoon were confirmed at the end of 2025.

Health officials are currently monitoring wild animals in the region and warn that the virus is present in the local population. Residents are urged to avoid physical contact with all wild animals—including raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes, and stray dogs or cats—which carry a higher risk of exposure.

To prevent rabies exposure, DOH-Marion provided the following precautions:

  • Immunize Pets: Ensure all pets and livestock are vaccinated and up to date on their schedules.
  • Supervise Animals: Keep pets on a leash and livestock secured on your property. If an animal is bitten, seek immediate veterinary assistance and contact Marion County Animal Services at 352-671-8727.
  • Avoid Attractants: Do not feed wild animals or attract them with outdoor pet food or open garbage cans.
  • Secure Living Spaces: Prevent wildlife, especially bats, from entering homes, schools, and other occupied spaces.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal should seek medical care immediately and report the injury to DOH-Marion at 352-629-0137.

Rabies is a fatal disease of the central nervous system, but receiving appropriate medical treatment shortly after exposure is highly effective at protecting individuals from the risk of death.