Rabies virus is very deadly, with nearly 100% fatal illness in humans and other mammals.
The virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family. The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people, pets, livestock, and other wildlife to rabies, typically through bites.
Outside cats are by far the most common domestic animal found to have rabies in Florida largely because they are often not kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in Florida.
Contact DOH-Miami-Dade for more information.
Report a Possible Rabies Exposure
Call the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-470-5660.
What To Do If You’ve Been Exposed to an Animal with Possible Rabies
If you have been potentially exposed to rabies (e.g. a bite or scratch from an animal), it is important to wash the affected area with soap and water and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Your doctor will decide if you need to be vaccinated based on your type of exposure, the type of animal, and information about the area where the potential exposure occurred. If your doctor decides that you should receive the vaccination, you will receive a dose of human rabies immune globulin and the rabies vaccine on the day of exposure and the remaining doses on days 3, 7, and 14 days after the first dose.
After seeking medical care, call the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) Epidemiology Disease Control and Immunization Services at 305-470-5660 and/or Miami-Dade County Animal Control at 311.
What To Do If You’re a Healthcare Provider of a Patient with Potential Rabies
If you are a healthcare provider and have a patient with a possible rabies exposure, report the exposure immediately to DOH-Miami-Dade County Epidemiology Disease Control and Immunization Services by phone at 305-470-5660. Use the decision tree form when deciding whether to initiate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and follow the PEP guidance.
If you are treating a patient with a potential rabies exposure, please be sure to complete the case report form and report it to the DOH-Miami-Dade County Epidemiology Disease Control and Immunization Services via fax at 305-470-5533 or e-fax 786-732-8714.