DOH Leon Observes World Rabies Day 

September 28, 2022

Tallahassee, Fla. –The Florida Department of Health in Leon County (DOH Leon) joins partners locally and globally on September 28, 2022, to support World Rabies Day and to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of rabies prevention.  This year’s theme, Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths will highlight the connection of the environment with people and animals.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. It is transmitted to humans and pets through direct physical contact, such as a bite or scratch with an infected animal.

The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies vaccine. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in the state of Florida.

“Rabies is an extremely dangerous disease, but one we can eliminate through cooperation, especially on awareness and education which are just as important as vaccines, said Brandi Knight, MPH, DOH Leon Health Administrator.

Rabies prevention starts with the animal owner. The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Leon County Animal Control Division at 850-606-5800.
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinate
• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.

Prompt and appropriate treatment after being bitten and before the disease develops can stop rabies infection and/or prevent the disease in humans and animals. Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH Leon at 850-895-8367. Report all unusual animal activity and suspected rabid animals immediately to Leon County Animal Control at 850-606-5800.

It is estimated every year that 30,000-40,000 U.S. residents are potentially exposed to rabies.  These exposures require human rabies post-exposure vaccinations. In Leon County, 50 animals have tested positive for rabies over the past ten years.

Visit the Florida Department of Health’s website to learn more about efforts to protect people and pets from rabies in our state.

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 Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

Submitted by:
Pamela Saulsby | Public Information Officer
Pamela.Saulsby@flhealth.gov
Follow DOH Leon on Twitter @Healthyleonfl