Contact:
Christopher Tittel

Communications Director

(941) 720-6145

Bradenton, Fla.—With so many Manatee residents preparing for summer vacation and outdoor events, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) reminds everyone to avoid contact with wild animals and any lost, frightened or hurt pets that could be suffering from rabies and potentially spread the disease through bites and scratches.

Rabies is a serious disease that, if not addressed quickly and properly, could lead to death.

To avoid being bitten or scratched:

• Do not approach stray pets or wildlife.

• Do not feed or attempt to pet or handle stray pets or wildlife.

• Do not disturb an animal that is sleeping, eating or caring for its young.

• If a strange animal walks toward you, stay calm and slowly move away.

• Bites from dogs are the most commonly reported animal bite. Additional tips for preventing bites from dogs include:

• Dogs are more likely to bite other dogs than people; when walking your own pet dog, avoid areas where free-roaming dogs may be present.
• If another dog attacks your dog, don’t put any part of your body between the dogs; consider carrying a stick or another sturdy object that you can safely use to try to keep the aggressive dog away.
• Do not make eye-to-eye contact with a stray or aggressive-acting dog.
• Do not run or scream if a stray dog approaches you – be “still like a tree.” If you fall or are knocked to the ground by a dog, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face. Try to stay still and do not scream.

Report stray pets to Manatee County Animal Services at (941) 742-5933.

Report wild animals of particular concern to the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922.

If you are bitten by an animal and emergency help is needed, go to a hospital or medical treatment area or call 911.

Take care of the bite wound:

• Before treating the wound, wash your hands with soap and clean fresh water.

• Remove any item that is in the way of caring for the wound.

• Put pressure on the wound with a clean cloth to stop bleeding.

• After the bleeding has stopped, pour bottled or clean running water over the wound.

• Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.

• Pat dry and use an adhesive bandage or dry clean cloth to cover the wound.

• Leave unclean wounds open.

Report the bite to Manatee County Animal Services. Tell the animal control official everything you know about the animal and where it went.

To learn more about rabies, visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html .

CDC resources: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/animalhazards/index.html

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.floridahealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

During severe weather and other emergencies, you can count on active alerts from the department's official social media accounts. One of the fastest ways to receive official and accurate health-related information is to monitor @HealthyFla on Twitter and on Facebook.

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.