Contact:
Jaffy Lee
Jaffy.Lee@FLHealth.gov
386-313-7114

Flagler County, Fla.— The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County (DOH-Flagler) is issuing a rabies alert for parts of the Flagler County area. This is in response to a cat that tested positive on March 15, 2024.

This rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is at Poince Place, Palm Coast, FL 32164 and includes the following boundaries in Flagler County:

• Eastern boundary, Interstate 95, Palm Coast
• Northern boundary, White View Pkwy, Palm Coast
• Southern boundary, State Hwy 100, Palm Coast
• Western boundary, US Hwy 1, Bunnell

An animal with rabies could infect other animals that have not received a rabies vaccination. Domestic animals are at risk if they are not vaccinated; rabies is always a danger in wild animal populations.

If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Flagler by calling 386-437-7358.

If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek immediate veterinary assistance for the animal, and contact Animal Control - Flagler Humane Society at 386-246-8612.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions to prevent exposure to rabies:

• Avoid all contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats
  and coyotes. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Never handle unfamiliar animals (wild or domestic), even if they appear friendly.
• Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or trash.
• Keep rabies vaccinations current for all pets.
• Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come into contact with wild animals.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might encounter people and pets.

For more information on rabies, please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

Follow DOH-Palm Beach on X at @HealthyFLPBC. To learn more about DOH-Palm Beach programs, visit PalmBeach.FloridaHealth.gov.