Rabies is a very well known and extremely deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of an infected animal. According to Florida Health, the rabies virus is nearly 100% fatal in humans and other mammals when exposed. However in the U.S., rabies deaths in people are very rare thanks to successful animal control and vaccination programs, and a robust healthcare structure that can provide rabies vaccines to people shortly after they have contact with a possibly rabid animal. – Florida Health
Exposure to Rabies (Humans)
If you believe you or someone else may have been exposed to rabies from an animal bite, you need to contact your health care provider immediately. If this is an emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency services number. After treatment you should also consider contacting your county health department right away once confirmed that you were exposed to rabies. Contacting the health department can help them act on any possible risk to the community by infected animals. If an exposure did occurred, there is effective treatment that can prevent infections in people if administered in a timely manner.
- Extremely rare with fewer than 1,000 US cases per year
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging always required
- Critical emergency care is needed do not wait
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Wildlife Health for information about disease monitoring in raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and other mammals in Florida.
Report a sick, injured, or dead raccoon, opossum, squirrel, or fox – FWC Wildlife Health Hotline: 866-CWD-WATCH (866-293-9282) Visit Website
While every attempt is made to make sure the information provided is correct, we always recommend contacting a vet regarding the health of your animals. If this is an emergency, please call 911 or your local emergency services number. If you believe you or someone else may have been exposed to rabies from an animal bite, you need to contact your health care provider immediately.
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