Rabies virus is very deadly, with nearly 100% fatal illness in humans and other mammals.

The virus is present in some wildlife in Florida and can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family. The main wildlife sources of rabies in Florida are raccoons and bats. Infected raccoons and bats can expose people, pets, livestock, and other wildlife to rabies, typically through bites.

Outside cats are by far the most common domestic animal found to have rabies in Florida largely because they are often not kept up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Dogs, cats, and ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated against rabies in Florida.

A rabies exposure is any bite, scratch, or other situation in which saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, tears, or nervous tissue from a suspect or known rabid animal enters an open wound or comes in contact with mucous membranes of another animal or person.

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Report a possible Rabies exposure

Call the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at 813-307-8059 for more information.

Animal Bite Report Form

A suspected rabid animal is any mammal capable of transmitting rabies. An animal cannot be ruled out as suspect until a full rabies investigation is completed by the Florida Department of Health (DOH), or a negative laboratory result is obtained. Therefore, all exposures need to be reported to the DOH. The DOH will follow up on all reported human exposures to determine whether animal will be observed for 10 days, tested, or post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended if not started already at ER visit.

Domestic animals (dogs, cats, and ferrets) which bite or otherwise potentially expose a person to rabies can be confined for observation for 10 days. Livestock, including horses, can be confined for a 14-day observation period. Humans exposed to an animal that can be monitored rarely require post-exposure prophylaxis.

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