The Florida Department of Health has confirmed that a raccoon in Palm Beach County has tested positive for rabies.
Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control confirmed on Nov. 27 that the raccoon fought with a dog in the 15000 block of De Havilland Court in Wellington. The raccoon was picked up by Animal Care & Control and then sent for rabies testing.
Residents in the area are cautioned to avoid contact with any wildlife, including feral/community cats, and report suspicious animals to Animal Care & Control.
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm-blooded animals including 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.
For further information on rabies, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies or contact Florida Health Palm Beach County at (561) 840-4500. Animals exhibiting signs of sickness and aggressive behavior should be reported to Animal Care & Control at (561) 233-1200.
