Plant City Domestic Cat Tests Positive For Rabies

PLANT CITY, FL -- A cat that lived around North Dort Street and Rowena Mays Park in the Plant City area tested positive for rabies.

Preliminary investigations revealed a white and brown tabby domestic short-hair cat exposed at least one man and two dogs to the disease.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County is attempting to locate anyone who may have been exposed.

The man who was exposed was given rabies post-exposure vaccines.

DOH-Hillsborough recommended the exposed dogs receive a booster for rabies and the owner will be asked to quarantine them for 45 days. This means the dog should not have contact with other animals or humans outside of the household during this period.

DOH-Hillsborough will be notifying all homes and businesses within the following boundaries:

North - Interstate 4

South - Airport Road/Grant Street

East - Park Road

West - Branch Forbes/North Forbes Road

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 local health department. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm-blooded animals and humans.

Last year, three animals exposed 10 people to rabies. In 2018, Hillsborough County identified six rabid animals (four cats, one bat and one raccoon) that exposed 14 people and four domestic dogs to the disease.

For more information, call the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8000, or (813) 744-5660.

Photos via Florida Department of Health

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