Hillsborough County Rabies Alert: What Pet Owners Need to Know

Rabies Alert Issued in Hillsborough County

• ⚠️ Hillsborough County is under a rabies alert following a confirmed case of rabies in a stray cat.
• 📍 The alert specifically covers the area near Limeball Avenue, Waters Avenue, Anderson Road, and Wilski Boulevard.
• 🐱 The infected stray cat bit four people before being euthanized.

Understanding Rabies Transmission and Risks

• 🦠 Rabies is a deadly virus that can affect both animals and humans, and is often fatal once symptoms appear.
• 🐿️ Raccoons and bats are common carriers in wild animals, while stray cats are a significant concern among domesticated animals.
• 🚫 Officials advise against feeding stray animals, as this increases the risk of contact.

Precautions for Pet Owners and Residents

• 🐕 Keep pets on a leash when outdoors and supervise them closely.
• 🏠 Consider feeding pets indoors to avoid attracting stray or wild animals.
• 🧐 Be aware of warning signs in stray animals, including aggression, excessive drooling, staggering, or paralysis.

Immediate Actions After Animal Contact

• 🧼 If bitten or scratched, scrub the wound with soap and running water for 5-10 minutes.
• 🏥 Seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room if bitten by an animal.
• 🐈 If a pet is bitten, take them to the veterinarian immediately.

Prevention Through Vaccination

• 💉 The number one way to prevent rabies in pets is through vaccination.
• 🏥 Animal hospitals have seen an increase in owners seeking to update their pets' rabies vaccinations since the alert.
• 🌍 Even outside the immediate alert area, ensuring pets are vaccinated is crucial as rabies is preventable but not curable.
• ⏳ The rabies alert is in effect for 60 days.