Since there have been no new reports of rabid animals since September, the Florida Department of Health-Okaloosa has lifted the 60-day rabies alert in the county.
The rabies alert encompassed the following communities: Florosa, Mary Esther, Hurlburt Field & adjacent areas of Eglin Air Force Base, Wright, Ocean City, Fort Walton Beach and Shalimar (including Poquito Bayou and the Lake Lorraine area).
The alert was issued September 16 because of reports of two rabid bats. A third bat tested positive for rabies a few days later.
Although the rabies alert has been lifted at this time, Dr. Karen A. Chapman, FDOH-Okaloosa director, reminds residents and visitors, “Avoid contact with bats and other wild or stray animals. If you see one on the ground, leave it alone. Call your local Animal Control office to remove it properly and safely.”
Okaloosa County residents always should remember to take the following precautions to avoid exposure to rabies:
•Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
•If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately, and contact Okaloosa County Animal Control at 850-244-0196.
•Call Okaloosa County Animal Control to remove any stray domestic animals from your neighborhood.
•Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving pet food outside, or garbage cans open.
•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.
•Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Okaloosa at 850-689-7859.
For further information about rabies, visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html. Information is also available from the Environmental Health Section at 850-689-7859 or its website, http://www.floridahealth.gov/chdokaloosa/Services/Environmental_Health.html.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County rabies alert lifted