HEALTH OFFICIALS LIFT RABIES ALERT for Palmetto Bay. This relates to the November 2018 Otter attack.

                                               HEALTH OFFICIALS LIFT RABIES ALERT

Miami-The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade (DOH-Miami-Dade) has lifted the rabies alert for the Palmetto Bay area (boundaries included SW 144th Street to the North, SW 184th Street to the South, Biscayne Bay to the East, US 1 to the West).  The alert had been in place since November 21, 2018.

There has not been another positive laboratory result for rabies within 60 days. This is an appropriate time frame to lift the health advisory. However, in Florida there is a risk of rabies transmission year-round.  

The rabies alert was issued back in November, 2018, covering Palmetto Bay. due to the rabid otter bit a person and at least three other people were possibly exposed to the deadly disease in the area at that time.

PRIOR RELATED POST:  November 21, 2018, Urgent Alert: Palmetto Bay under a rabies alert - Please make sure you and your pets are protected -  CLICK HERE to read founding Mayor Flinn's e-blast alert from November 2018.

This rabies alert covered these boundaries within Palmetto Bay:

• SW 144th Street to the North
• SW 184th Street to the South
• Biscayne Bay to the East
• US 1 to the West

Here are some tips from the Department of Health to avoid exposure:

• 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 and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1 if you have concerns.
• Call 3-1-1 to report any stray dogs in your neighborhood or private property. Owners can hire a nuisance wildlife trapper for removal of wildlife.
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1.
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or littler.
• Do not leave food sources out for wildfire such as pet food or unsecured garbage.
• Avoid contact with stray and feral animals.
• 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.
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-324-2400.

"The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization," health officials cautioned. "Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease."

For further information on rabies, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html, or contact DOH-Miami-Dade at 305-470-5660.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida

through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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

I will continue to keep you advised as will official Palmetto Bay Government and Miami-Dade County media.

Eugene Flinn