Rabies Control

The Environmental Health Division responds to all reported animal bites in Escambia County. Our mission is to eradicate this fatal disease through educating the public on the importance of pet vaccination and enforcement of Florida Statute 828.30 regarding rabies vaccination. 

Rabies is preventable; however, many deaths still occur every year across the globe.  Rabies is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and the vast majority of cases occur in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.  Domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases.  See the Centers for Disease Control website for information on rabies and how it affects the nervous system.

A rabies exposure is considered any bite, scratch, or other situation in which saliva or nervous tissue of a potentially rabid animal enters an open or fresh wound, or comes in contact with mucous membranes by entering the eye, mouth or nose of another animal.

To report an animal bite:

• Call us directly at 850-595-6700

• Be sure to indicate the location of the bite on the victim’s body (i.e. face bite, upper torso).  Face bites are of the highest importance!

Our Inspector must follow protocol outlined in Florida Law.  This protocol is for the safety of the bite victim and the biting animal.  Your cooperation is very important for the prevention of this deadly disease!

Quarantine (Isolation)

Requirements as mandated by the Florida Department of Health and Chapter 64D-3 Florida Administrative Code.

Bite to a person or exposure to raccoon, bat, skunk, fox or other high risk animal:

• Dogs, cats and ferrets
  • 10 day quarantine from time of bite (regardless of vaccination status)
• Horses
  • 14 day quarantine from time of bite (regardless of vaccination status)
• All other animals do not fall under quarantine requirements.  However, certain animals such as rodents may carry other diseases, so medical attention is always recommended if bitten.

Investigation Procedures

If the biting animal (raccoon, skunk, bat, fox, coyote, bobcat, and wolf hybrid or exotic cat hybrids) is available: 

• Human victim should immediately see a doctor.
• Animal will be tested for rabies (will be euthanized).
• Brain sample is submitted to laboratory for testing.

(Dog, Cat or Ferret)

• Human victim should immediately see a doctor.
• If rabies vaccination is current, animal will be immediately quarantined for 10 days.  Quarantine at home is possible; however, specific DOH guidelines must be followed.
• If rabies vaccination is not current, animal must be quarantined for 10 days at veterinarian clinic or animal shelter at the owner’s expense.
• If the quarantine period results in a “live” animal, the animal is removed from quarantine and human victim is not in danger (was not exposed to rabies).

(Horse)

• Human victim should immediately see a doctor.
• If rabies vaccination is current, animal will be immediately quarantined for 14 days.  Quarantine at owner’s property is possible; however, specific DOH guidelines must be followed.
• If rabies vaccination is not current, animal must be quarantined for 14 days at veterinarian clinic at the owner’s expense.
• If the quarantine period results in a “live” animal, the animal is removed from quarantine and human victim is not in danger (was not exposed to rabies).

(Stray Dog, Cat or Ferret)

• Human victim should immediately see a doctor.
• Animal is sent to Animal Shelter for 10 day quarantine, if available.           
• If the quarantine period results in a “live” animal, the animal is removed from quarantine and human victim is not in danger (was not exposed to rabies).

If the biting animal is not available:

• Human victim should immediately see a doctor. 
• The physician will determine if rabies treatment (post exposure vaccine and immune globulin) is necessary based on biting animal, bite circumstance and appearance of symptoms.
• The Escambia County Health Department’s Epidemiology staff will follow up on the case.
  

Department of Health Rabies Page
Centers for Disease Control Bite Prevention
Centers for Disease Control Rabies Kids Page