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World Rabies Day

By Crystal Steele

September 28, 2016

 September 28, 2016                                                                                             

DOH-Walton Recognizes September 28 as World Rabies Day

Contact: Crystal Steele Crystal.Steele@flhealth.gov850-892-8021 Ext. 1139

 

DeFuniak Springs, Fla – World Rabies Day is celebrated every year on September 28, a day when the world unites in the fight against rabies. The Florida Department of Health in Walton County (DOH-Walton) hopes to do their part to put an end to this condition through educational efforts aimed at demonstrating the impact of human and animal rabies, how easy it is to prevent rabies from occurring, and how to eliminate the main sources of the disease.

Holly Holt, DOH-Walton Health Officer, said, ”we are working to encourage all pet owners to have their domestic animals vaccinated against rabies, and prevent them from having any contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, stray cats and coyotes”.

 

Some easy ways to prevent the spread of rabies:

  • Avoid direct human and domestic animal contact with wild animals.
  • Have your veterinarian vaccinate pets and at-risk livestock, make sure you follow your veterinarian's instructions for revaccination.
  • Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property.
  • Never feed wild or stray animals and avoid attracting them with outdoors food sources. Feed your pets indoors.
  • If your animal is attacked by a wild, stray or unvaccinated animal, DO NOT examine your pet for injuries without wearing gloves. DO wash your pet with soap and water to remove saliva from the attacking animal. DO NOT let your animal come into contact with other animals or people until the situation can be handled by animal control or county health department staff.
  • Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.

 

Anyone bitten by a possible rabies-infected animal should immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes, go to their family doctor or nearest emergency room, and give a description of the animal and where it's located to the provider.

 

For more information on rabies prevention, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html or call the DOH-Walton Environmental Health Section at 850-892-8021.

 

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

 

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