Description
The Florida Department of Health issued a rabies alert in Hillsborough County after a case was confirmed in a stray cat.
The cat was reportedly killed in the Town N' Country area off Twelve Oaks Boulevard on Saturday. As a result, heath officials say they are currently monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area.
"All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population," officials said in a press release. "People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals ... which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment."
That includes animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.
Officials say the rabies alert is in effect for 60 days and includes the following boundaries throughout the county:
Northern boundary — W Linebaugh Avenue
Southern boundary — W Waters Avenue
Eastern boundary — Anderson Road
Western boundary — Wilsky Boulevard