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For Release Tuesday, 16th
January, 2001
PALM BEACH COUNTY-
Dr. Jean Malecki, Director of the Palm Beach County Health Department announced today that she is lifting the rabies alert for the area bounded by Belvedere Road, Southern Boulevard, Haverhill Road and Jog Road in the central part of Palm Beach County.
Residents of the area were placed on alert to be on the look out for potentially rabid animals while the County’s Animal Care and Control Division increased its patrols to capture any stray or suspicious animals. Following 60 days without any confirmed cases Dr. Malecki has lifted the alert.
On November 9, 2000 a 15-year-old male was bitten on the shoe and a 9-month-old pit bull attacked by a raccoon that was confirmed to have rabies on November 13. As this was the second incident with a rabid animal in the area since August the alert was issued. The earlier case involved a rabid Chihuahua that had come in contact with 14 individuals. All were recommended to receive the rabies vaccinations.
Dr. Malecki cautioned all residents to avoid contact with wild or stray animals. She further advised domestic animal owners to have their pet’s rabies vaccinations up to date, avoid touching dead animals and don’t keep wildlife, especially raccoons, foxes, skunks, bats and bobcats as pets.
During the year 2000 Palm Beach County had eight confirmed rabies cases, two more than in 1999.
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