INDIAN RIVER COUNTY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties have issued a rabies alert for southern Indian River County and northern St. Lucie County. This alert is in response to a raccoon that tested positive for rabies on June 19 following an unprovoked attack on two domestic dogs.

Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie County issued a rabies alert for the central geographical region of St. Lucie County in response to a cat that tested positive for rabies reported on June 2.

Health officials urge residents to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals and to vaccinate their pets.

We strongly advise residents not to approach or feed wild and stray animals, and keep their pets vaccinated, said Miranda Hawker, Indian River County Health Officer.

All residents of Indian River and St. Lucie County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Indian River and St. Lucie Counties. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert.

This rabies alert will remain in effect for 60 days for:

• South of Oslo Road;
• North of Indrio Road;
• East of I-95; and
• West of US Hwy 1 and Turnpike Feeder Road.