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USDA To Test More Racoons
The United States Department of Agriculture continues its ongoing program of conducting random “rapid rabies tests” in Pinellas County. Four positive rabies cases have been confirmed in the northern part of the county so far. The USDA plans to conduct a survey in the southern part of the county as well. Following the result of that survey, Animal Services and USDA Wildlife Services will establish a plan of action for the 2009 oral rabies vaccination of raccoons.
The following guidelines will help citizens protect their pets and families:
- Keep your pets’ rabies vaccinations current. Vaccination of pets is the first line of defense against rabies. A vaccinated pet serves as a protective buffer between your family and a possible rabid wild or stray animal.
- Do not to feed or interact with wildlife.
- Do not leave out food outdoors for pets or wildlife.
- Citizens who have nuisance raccoons can request a trap from Animal Services. It is recommended that field officers be called when a raccoon is trapped to decrease the chance of injuries.
- Relocating a raccoon is illegal and leads to fighting among raccoons and the spread of disease.
RABIES PREVENTION
AND CONTROL IN PINELLAS COUNTY
 Rabies is a universally fatal
disease that remains a very real threat to the
health of people and their pets. Because the
virus is maintained in wildlife populations (raccoons
and bats in Pinellas County at this time) constant
vigilance is required to stem the spread of this
disease. In 1995, Animal Services initiated a
county wide oral rabies vaccination (ORV) program
to combat an explosive outbreak of rabies in
raccoons. This program, specifically targeted
at raccoons, limited the spread of the disease
and dramatically reduced the number of new cases
in both wildlife and domestic animals. The program
continues today and has resulted in the distribution
of over 600,000 vaccine bates and has become
a model for other county, state and federal programs.
The success of this program, however, should
in no way lead to a complacent attitude towards
this deadly disease.
You can do your part in preventing rabies by
taking the following steps:
- Vaccinate* your animals- dogs, cats, ferrets,
sheep, horses, and cattle.
- DO NOT handle or feed wildlife or strays.
- DO NOT relocate Raccoons
- Comply with leash laws.
- Report animal bites or scratches to Animal
Services.
*Health
officials recommend a three-year rabies vaccine
as
the most effective
means of protecting
your pet from rabies. Rabies
vaccinations are available
from your veterinarian
or from Pinellas
County Animal Services.
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Original artwork by Omar Rayyan, 1993 |
For more information on the
rabies virus and prevention
and control
of the disease we recommend
the following links:
 CDC Rabies Main Page 
CDC
Professional Resources (including Compendium)
Florida
DOH Rabies Main Page (Including Florida
Guidebook)
Pinellas County Code
Oral Rabies Vaccine
Vaccination Recommendations for Dogs and Cats
Epidemiology/Wildlife
Rabies
CDC
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