Rabies warning: Avoid wild and stray animals, Lake County health officials say
By Leslie Postal
Lake County health officials urge residents to stay away from raccoons and other wild animals because of the danger of rabies. (Mark Randall / Sun Sentinel)
Lake County health officials are warning residents to stay away from wild or stray animals because of the danger of rabies.
Two rabid raccoons were found in the county earlier this year and recently a raccoon in the Fruitland Park/Lady Lake area tested positive for the disease, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Raccoons, bats, foxes and cats that haven't been vaccinated are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies in Florida, the department said.
But it urged residents to avoid all wild and stray animals and to report "unusual acting animals" to the Lake County Sheriff's Office's animal enforcement division at 352-343-2101. Anyone who is bitten should contact their doctor, the sheriff's office and the health department in Lake County at 352-253-6130, the department said.
lpostal@orlandosentinel.com 407-420-5273
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