HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) has issued a rabies alert for a 60-day period following the confirmation of a rabies case in a stray cat. The infected animal was found and subsequently killed in the Town ‘N’ Country area, near Twelve Oaks Blvd in Hillsborough County, on April 12, 2025.
DOH-Hillsborough is actively monitoring the wild animal population in the affected area. This rabies alert serves as a crucial reminder to all residents and visitors that rabies is currently present within the local wild animal population.
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Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid any physical contact with wild animals. These include common carriers of the rabies virus such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes.
Contact with these animals poses a significant risk of human exposure and necessitates rabies post-exposure treatment.
It is vital to seek immediate medical attention if any exposure occurs, as timely treatment is highly effective in preventing the disease.
The 60-day rabies alert is in effect for the following boundaries within Hillsborough County:
- Northern boundary: W. Linebaugh Ave.
- Southern boundary: W Waters Ave.
- Eastern boundary: Anderson Road
- Western boundary: Wilsky Blvd.
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To minimize the risk of rabies exposure, DOH-Hillsborough is strongly advising residents to take the following preventative measures:
- Vaccinate Pets and Livestock: Ensure all pets and livestock are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, following your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
- Supervise Pets: Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash when outdoors. Secure livestock on your property. If your pet or livestock is bitten by another animal, seek immediate veterinary care and contact Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660.
- Avoid Wild Animals: Do not approach, handle, or feed wild or stray animals. Be mindful not to unintentionally attract them by leaving pet food outdoors, having open garbage cans, or providing other food sources.
- Seek Medical Attention for Bites/Scratches: If you are bitten or scratched by any wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to DOH-Hillsborough by calling 813-307-8059.
- Do Not Adopt Wild Animals: Never attempt to adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for assistance.
- Report Stray Animals: Contact your local animal control agency, Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660, to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
- Prevent Wildlife from Entering Buildings: Take precautions to prevent wildlife, especially bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other buildings where they could come into contact with people and pets.
DOH-Hillsborough emphasizes that receiving appropriate post-exposure treatment after potential rabies exposure is crucial for preventing the disease.
Residents within the alert area and throughout Hillsborough County are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to these preventative measures to protect themselves, their families, and their pets.
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