Rabid Foxes Found in Florida—60-Day Rabies Alert Issued for Local Area
Bay County health officials have issued a 60-day rabies alert after two foxes in the Bayou George area tested positive for the deadly virus. The infected animals were killed near the east end of John Pitts Road on May 20 and May 26, prompting the Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay) to take action.
The alert applies to a section of Bay County bordered by Highway 231 to the north, Tram Road to the south, Jetton Road to the east, and Transmitter Road to the west.
According to officials, rabies is currently circulating among the area’s wild animal population. Common carriers of the virus include raccoons, bats, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes—like those recently found infected. Health experts are urging residents and visitors to avoid any physical contact with wild or stray animals and to take immediate precautions to protect themselves and their pets.
Pet owners are advised to ensure all pets and livestock are up to date on their rabies vaccinations, as recommended by their veterinarians. Animals should be kept on leashes or securely confined to prevent exposure to wildlife. If a domestic animal is bitten by a wild one, owners should contact a veterinarian right away and report the incident to Bay County Animal Control or, for those in Lynn Haven, the Lynn Haven Police Department.
Wild or stray animals should never be fed or handled, and residents are encouraged to secure garbage and remove any outdoor food sources that may attract them. Additionally, officials warn against attempting to adopt or care for wild animals, recommending that any encounters be handled by licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
If a person is bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, it is critical to seek medical attention immediately and report the injury to DOH-Bay. Rabies is almost always fatal if left untreated, but post-exposure treatment is highly effective when administered promptly.
Residents should also take steps to prevent animals—particularly bats—from entering homes, schools, or other buildings where they could come into contact with people or pets.
For more information on rabies prevention and what to do in the event of possible exposure, visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or call DOH-Bay at 850-872-4455.
