COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 60-day rabies alert is in effect in Columbia County after a dog and raccoon tested positive for the virus.
According to the Florida Department of Health, a domestic dog tested positive for rabies on Tuesday and a raccoon tested positive on Feb. 29.
The main center for the first alert is at the intersection of Highway 441 North and NE Rourks Glen.
The alert also includes the following boundaries in Columbia County:
- North boundary to NE Christie Street
- West boundary to NW Falling Creek Road
- South boundary to the Five Points area
- East boundary to NE Gum Swamp Road
The second rabies alert was issued for areas within:
- SW Sisters Welcome Road
- SR 247 Lake City area
- East of State Road 247
- West of Highway 47
Rabies can also be found outside these alert areas, so residents should be cautious.
The Florida Department of Health wants residents with pets to make sure they are vaccinated against rabies and all contact with outside wildlife should be avoided.
Rabies is a disease that affects the nervous system and is deadly to warm-blooded animals and humans.
Precautions to take
- Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash when outside
- Avoid contact with wild or stray animals
- Keep trash cans closed and litter cleaned up to help not attract wild animals
- Call local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from nearby areas
- Immunize pets from rabies
If a pet is bitten by a wild animal, contact Columbia County Animal Enforcement at (386) 758-3352.
