Plant City residents should be extra careful now around animals that aren't their own.
The Hillsborough County Health Department said a rabid cat in the area of Rowena Mays Park, at North Dort Street, has exposed a man and two dogs to the disease. The cat in question is a white and brown tabby domestic shorthair. The man and dogs have received treatment and the dogs are to be quarantined indoors for 45 days.
State officials are notifying all homes and businesses in the following areas:
North – Interstate 4
South – Airport Road/Grant Street
East – Park Road
West – Branch Forbes/North Forbes Road
In addition, the health department suggests residents take the following steps to ensure they and their pets don't catch the fatal disease:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
- If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center at (813) 744-5660.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
Anyone who has been bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of any wild animal or an animal that is acting unusual should always report the exposure to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8059. For more information visit floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies/index.html or call the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8000, or (813) 744-5660.