Days after three people were bitten by a brat fox and a man came into contact with a pesky bat in Escambia County, Florida, authorities say a man was attacked by a deadly bat near Flomaton.
On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) confirmed a case of rabies near Flomaton.
“This should be a strong reminder that all pets should be properly vaccinated against rabies,” said Alabama Public Health Veterinarian Dr. DW Jones.
Last Friday, the Florida Department of Health (DOH-Escambia) issued a rabies alert for Escambia County, Florida after three people were confirmed to have been exposed to a pesky fox and one person was exposed to a pesky bat.
While the Escambia Health Department did not disclose the location, NorthEscambia.com independently confirmed that three people were injured by rabid foxes in the general area of Northview High School and Travis Nelson Park.
“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of unusual actors and to have pets vaccinated against rabies,” said DOH-Escambia Administrator Marie Mott.
Mott recommends the following precautions.
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk pets.
- Don’t let your pets run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and pets on your property. If your pet or pets have been bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary help for the animal immediately and contact Escambia County Animal Services at (850) 595-0097.
- Support animal control in an effort to reduce the number of wild and stray animals.
- Let them help you reduce the number of unwanted pets that are not properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
- Do not handle, feed, or accidentally draw wildlife from outside food sources such as uncovered garbage or garbage.
- Never pet wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domesticated, even if they seem friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering residential or occupied areas in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where bats may come into contact with people and pets.
- Persons bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-Escambia at (850) 595-6700.