Rabid Otter Bites Miami-Dade Victim; Rabies Alerts Issued

KENDALL, FL — After lifting a rabies alert for the Kendall area earlier this week, health officials said Wednesday that a rabid otter bit a person and at least three other people were possibly exposed to the deadly disease in the area. Meanwhile, a seventh raccoon also tested positive and two new rabies alerts have been issued around the Kendall area. The alerts will be in effect for 60 days.

"The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) received confirmation of a seventh raccoon that tested positive for rabies in the same Kendall area," according to officials. "Although the rabies alert had been lifted, it will now be extended for another 60 days ending on Jan. 19, 2019."

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Health officials said that the otter who bit the person later died. No information on the victim was released.

The previous Kendall alert that has been reinstated covers the following boundaries:

• SW 152nd Street to the North
• SW 187th Street to the South
• SW 117th Avenue to the East
• SW 137th Avenue to the West

A new Kendall alert covers these additional boundaries:

• SW 144th Street to the North
• SW 184th Street to the South
• Biscayne Bay to the East
• US 1 to the West

A separate rabies alert remains in effect for the North Miami Beach area within the following boundaries:

• NE 186th Street to the north,
• Royal Glades Canal to the south,
• West Dixie Hwy to the east,
• NE 19th Avenue to the west

Rabies is described by the World Health Organization as an infectious viral disease that is almost always fatal following the onset of clinical signs.

The Florida Department of Health reports that the virus can spread to unvaccinated pets, which then pose a high risk to the pet owner and their family.

Here are some tips from the Department of Health to avoid exposure:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1 if you have concerns.
• Call 3-1-1 to report any stray dogs in your neighborhood or private property. Owners can hire a nuisance wildlife trapper for removal of wildlife.
• If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Miami-Dade Animal Services at 3-1-1.
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally atrract wild animals with open garbage cans or littler.
• Do not leave food sources out for wildfire such as pet food or unsecured garbage.
• Avoid contact with stray and feral animals.
• 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.
• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County at 305-324-2400.

"The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization," health officials cautioned. "Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease."

For more information on rabies click here, call 305-324-2400 or call Miami-Dade County Animal Services at 3-1-1.

Image via Shutterstock