Rabies - Orange County

Forty years ago, most of the rabies found was in common house pets- cats and dogs. Not so today. Here in Orange County, we see about 12-15 animals with rabies every year. Most of them are raccoons. Not only county-wide but in the state, we find that raccoons are the main carriers of rabies. The rest of the cases come from cats and even fewer, dogs and bats. Though bat bites are few, the risk of bats having rabies is high. Almost 50% of bats found and sent for testing come back positive for rabies.

Rabies is a deadly infection caused by a virus. It is preventable. The virus infects the brain and death may result within a few days after the first symptoms. Rabies is passed in different ways. The most common is through the bite and saliva of the animal. It is important to know that the virus can develop in a raccoon for 3-12 weeks with the animal having no symptoms of rabies.

The Epidemiology section of the Orange County Health Department is responsible for follow-up cases of suspected rabies. If exposure to rabies it is determined by interview, investigation and testing, treatment is started immediately. Once symptoms appear, it is too late. It is important that all health care providers report all bites, scratches to Orange County Health Department. Animal bites to humans are a reportable condition by Florida Law.

To report an animal bite, call 407-858-1420 or fax the information to 407-858-5517.