SEMINOLE COUNTY NOW RANKS THIRD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR THE MOST AMOUNT OF RABIES EXPOSURE CASES. WESH TWO JOHN KENNEDY MASON TELLS US, WHERE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT MAY BE HAPPENING. AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY, DOCTOR ETHAN JOHNSON WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHARED THE NUMBERS. SEMINOLE COUNTY IS NUMBER THREE FOR RABIES EXPOSURES, ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW. THAT PUTS THE COUNTY BEHIND ONLY TWO OTHERS IN THE REGION. COMMISSIONER JAY ZEMBOWER SAYS IT SURPRISED HIM. YOU WOULD THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, WILD ANIMALS ARE ARE TYPICALLY IN FLORIDA, ESPECIALLY RACCOONS, OPOSSUMS, FOXES, YOU KNOW, THOSE KIND OF ANIMALS. DOCTOR JOHNSON SAYS THEIR EPIDEMIOLOGY TEAM CONDUCTED 3300 INVESTIGATIONS OF REPORTABLE DISEASES OVER THE PAST YEAR. OF THOSE, 1300 WERE RELATED TO RABIES. HE ADDS MOST EXPOSURES HAPPEN AT HOME, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. SOME NONTRADITIONAL EXPOSURES AS WELL. SCHOOL. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SENT US A STATEMENT SAYING SEMINOLE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE SEMINOLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. WHENEVER THERE IS ANY TYPE OF POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO RABIES, MEASLES, OR OTHER ILLNESSES AND DISEASES, SEMINOLE COUNTY SCHOOLS SAYS THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED RABIES CASES TIED TO ANY OF THEIR SCHOOLS. SEPARATELY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS BATS WERE FOUND IN A HIGH SCHOOL. BUT WHETHER ANYONE WAS EXPOSED REMAINS UNCLEAR. ZEMBOWER SAYS PEOPLE JUST NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS. AT NO TIME DID YOU APPROACH THOSE WILD ANIMALS. COVERING SEMINOLE COUNTY, KENNEDY MASON WESH TWO NEWS. IF YOU BELIEVE YOU MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO RABIES, SCRUB THE WOUND. TRY TO GET A DESCRIPTION OF THE ANIMAL A
Seminole County ranks 3rd in Central Florida rabies exposures, health department says
Seminole County is ranked third in rabies exposure in Central Florida, with incidents going beyond people’s homes, according to health officials.
Seminole County is ranked third in rabies exposure in Central Florida, according to data shared by the Florida Department of Health during a meeting on Tuesday. “Seminole County is No. 3 for rabies exposure right now,” said Dr. Ethan Johnson with the Florida Department of Health. District 2 Commissioner Jay Zembower expressed surprise at the ranking. “You would think that most people understand that wild animals are typically in Florida, especially raccoons, possums, foxes — you know, those kinds of animals,” Zembower said. Dr. Johnson explained that the department’s epidemiology team conducted 3,300 investigations for reportable diseases over the past year, with 1,300 of those related to rabies. He noted that most exposures occur at home but added that some happen in other settings. “There are some non-traditional exposures as well, like schools,” Johnson said. Seminole County Public Schools issued a statement addressing the matter. “Seminole County Public Schools works closely with the Seminole County Department of Health whenever there is any type of potential exposure to rabies, measles, or other illnesses and diseases,” the statement reads. The school district emphasized that there are no confirmed rabies cases tied to any of its schools. Separately, the health department confirmed that bats were found in a high school, but it remains unclear whether anyone was exposed. Zembower urged residents to exercise caution around wildlife. “At no time should you approach these wild animals,” Zembower said.If you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, the Florida Department of Health recommends that you do the following:Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes.Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be contained by animal control for quarantine or rabies testing.Go to your health care provider or the nearest emergency room.Call your local county health department or animal-control agency with the description and location of the animal. The animal will either be quarantined for ten days (if it is a dog, cat, or ferret) or be tested for rabies.If the animal is deceased, be careful not to damage the head, and avoid further contact.
Seminole County is ranked third in rabies exposure in Central Florida, according to data shared by the Florida Department of Health during a meeting on Tuesday.
“Seminole County is No. 3 for rabies exposure right now,” said Dr. Ethan Johnson with the Florida Department of Health.
District 2 Commissioner Jay Zembower expressed surprise at the ranking.
“You would think that most people understand that wild animals are typically in Florida, especially raccoons, possums, foxes — you know, those kinds of animals,” Zembower said.
Dr. Johnson explained that the department’s epidemiology team conducted 3,300 investigations for reportable diseases over the past year, with 1,300 of those related to rabies. He noted that most exposures occur at home but added that some happen in other settings.
“There are some non-traditional exposures as well, like schools,” Johnson said.
Seminole County Public Schools issued a statement addressing the matter.
“Seminole County Public Schools works closely with the Seminole County Department of Health whenever there is any type of potential exposure to rabies, measles, or other illnesses and diseases,” the statement reads.
The school district emphasized that there are no confirmed rabies cases tied to any of its schools. Separately, the health department confirmed that bats were found in a high school, but it remains unclear whether anyone was exposed.
Zembower urged residents to exercise caution around wildlife.
“At no time should you approach these wild animals,” Zembower said.
If you believe you may have been exposed to rabies, the Florida Department of Health recommends that you do the following:
- Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes.
- Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be contained by animal control for quarantine or rabies testing.
- Go to your health care provider or the nearest emergency room.
- Call your local county health department or animal-control agency with the description and location of the animal. The animal will either be quarantined for ten days (if it is a dog, cat, or ferret) or be tested for rabies.
- If the animal is deceased, be careful not to damage the head, and avoid further contact.
