Rabies Alert for Grayton Beach

*Rabies Alert for Grayton Beach*

* *

*Walton** County – *Walton County Health Department Administrator, Gail
Allen, has issued a rabies alert for the Grayton Beach area of Walton
County. This is in response to a fox that tested positive for rabies
reported on May 23, 2011.



All citizens in Walton County should be aware that rabies is present in the
wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated.
The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active
in Walton County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public,
but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not
been named as under alert.



The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is at
Grayton Beach and includes the following area boundaries in Walton County:



· Gulf Trace to the West

· Tranquil Way to the East

· Gulf of Mexico to the South

· Logan Lane to the North



An animal with rabies could infect other wild animals or domestic animals
that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be
vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided,
particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.



Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded
animals and humans. The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is
rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate
treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person