SF. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie has issued a rabies alert for parts of the St. Lucia.

The alert comes after a raccoon and an otter tested positive in unrelated cases on Tuesday.

The center of the first rabies alert is Cypress Street in the River Park area of ​​St. Lucie and includes the following limits:

• North towards the Brazilian Circle
• South to Dyer Road
• East to the intersection of Prima Vista Boulevard and Tilton Road
• West to the St. River. bright

The center of the second rabies alert is in rural St. Lucie located within the following limits:

• North to Canal C-24
• South to the western bend of the German Canal Road
• East to Carlton Road
• West to the end of the German Canal Road

Rick Kampff and his son Kai spent the evening walking their dogs. On Friday, they learned that a raccoon in their River Park neighborhood had tested positive for rabies.

“I just hope everyone has their dogs or cats vaccinated and they’re safe,” Kampff said.

I am in a community with lots of animals, both domestic and wild.

“A lot of cats more than anything, but anything else — just mainly dogs,” Kampff said.

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Donald Dobbs lives in the same neighborhood.

“I had to pull a raccoon out of the pool,” he said. “Actually, one of them went into the pool area and grabbed one of my dogs.”

The Health Department says an otter was also found with rabies in rural St. Lucia.

Clint Sperber, administrator of the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie explained: “on the same day, in the other part of the county – the northern part – we found out about an otter that also attacked an animal and we were able to take the otter and test it.”

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Sperber said it’s the first time he’s seen two animals test positive in unrelated cases.

“If you have a pet, please make sure it’s vaccinated against rabies, keep it on a leash, don’t feed wildlife and you should be fine,” Sperber said.

The alert will remain in effect for the next 60 days. However, the Department of Health is urging people not to let their guard down.

Pet owners in River Park said they plan to keep a close eye on their furry friends.

“I’m not worried, but I spend my time watching the dogs when I let them out,” Dobbs said.

“Be aware, this is our core thing,” Kampff said.

Rabies alerts are in effect for 60 days from the date of the incident.

The health department said all domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all that Contact with wild animals should be avoided, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

The department also advises residents that rabies activity may also occur outside of the alert area.

Take the following precautions to prevent exposure to rabies:

• Immunize your pets and animals according to the schedule recommended by your veterinarian.

• Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash and keep animals secure on your property. If an animal bites your animal or animals, get veterinary attention for the animal immediately and contact the St. Louis County Division of Animal Safety, Services and Protection. Lucia at 772-462-8120.

• Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not unintentionally handle, feed, or lure them with outdoor pet food, open trash cans, or other food sources. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the injury to DOH-St. Lucie by calling 772-462-3883.

• Never adopt wild animals and bring them into your home; instead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

• Call your local animal control agency to remove stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact the St. Louis County Division of Animal Safety, Services and Protection. Lucia at 772-462-8120.

• Prevent wild animals, including bats, from entering living spaces or occupied spaces in homes, schools and other similar areas where they might come into contact with people and pets.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm-blooded animals and humans, according to the health department.

The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immunoglobulin and rabies immunization, the health department said.

For more information, please visit FloridaHealth.gov/rabiesor contact the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucia at (772)462-3883.