Animal Bites - Rabies Prevention

Rabies is a deadly disease that can be prevented, but not cured. The virus attacks the nerves and brain tissue of warm-blooded animals including humans.

Persons who have experienced an animal bite should:

1. Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes.

2. Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that animal control can pick it up for quarantine or rabies testing. Please contact the Florida Department of Health in Lake County Environmental Health Services at 352-253-6130.

3. Go to your family doctor or the nearest emergency room immediately. When medical treatment is received for an animal bite, the doctor or emergency room staff will report the incident to EPI Disease Control staff at 352-771-5500 (Option 5), Secure Fax 352-669-3166.

4. Prophylactic treatment to prevent rabies may be required if the animal cannot be located and tested, or if the animal is tested and found to be rabid.

5. If the animal is located, it will either be quarantined for ten days (if it is a dog, cat or ferret) or be sacrificed and tested for rabies.

IMPORTANT: If you kill the animal, be careful not to damage the head and avoid further contact with the animal even though it is dead.

If you have additional questions about animal bites click here for the link(s) to the:

Florida Department of Health Rabies Website

Please Report Animal Bite

Rabies Fact Sheet – English-Spanish