What to Know
- The rabies alert affects an area of west Kendall.
- The alert was first issued in May after a rabid raccoon was found.
Health officials have extended a rabies alert in the same area of Kendall in southwest Miami-Dade County after a third raccoon tested positive for rabies.
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County on Saturday said it is extending by 60 days the rabies alert affecting the section of west Kendall from SW 152nd Street to 187th Street north and south, as well as 117th Avenue to 137th Avenue to the east and west.
Officials first announced the alert on May 18 after a rabid raccoon was found in the area but they did not release the exact location where the second animal was found.
"This is the third confirmed rabid animal this year in the county and third rabid raccoon identified in Miami-Dade," the agency said in a statement, adding that it is "working with Miami-Dade Animal Services to identify any individuals who might have been exposed to the animal."
Rabies is a nervous system disease that can be fatal in humans and warm-blooded animals – with the only treatment for human exposure being a specific immunization.
DOH officials advise all residents to keep their pets’ vaccinations up to date and keep them under supervision while outside and to avoid wild animals, including raccoons, bats, foxes, coyotes and others.
Local
Humans are also not advised to feed wild animals or bring them into their home. Anyone who may have been exposed to a wild animal can call the DOH’s Miami-Dade office at 305-324-2400.
