Two Florida health departments issued 60-day rabies alerts on Sept. 30 after raccoons in Orange Park and Stuart tested positive for the virus. The alerts cover neighborhoods in Clay County near Jacksonville and in Martin County on the Treasure Coast.
Neither alert described a person or pet exposed to the infected animals. But for families with dogs, outdoor cats, or children who play near wooded yards, the alerts are a timely reminder to check vaccine records before an encounter happens.
Alert Zones Near Kingsley Road and South Kanner Highway
The Florida Department of Health in Clay County said a rabid raccoon was killed on Sept. 29 in the Orange Park area off Kingsley Road. The alert zone is bounded by Kingsley Ave. N to the north, Doctors Lake Dr. to the southeast, and Foxwood Rd. S to the west.
In Martin County, a raccoon captured Sunday, Sept. 27, near South Kanner Highway in Stuart tested positive, CBS12 reported. That zone is bounded by Southeast Tressler Drive, Southeast Federal Highway, and South Kanner Highway.
It is not Martin County's first warning this year. In March, DOH-Martin confirmed two rabid raccoons in the Hobe Sound and Stuart areas and warned that rabies may be present in the local wild animal population.
Both counties named the same animals to avoid: raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. Martin County officials warned that "an animal with rabies may appear healthy and can behave unusually friendly or aggressively."
Pet Shots, Food Bowls, and Backyard Habits
Florida law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies, according to the Florida Department of Health. The state says outdoor cats are by far the most common domestic animal found with rabies in Florida, largely because they are often not kept up to date on their shots.
Both alerts ask owners to vaccinate pets and livestock on their veterinarian's schedule and to keep pets leashed and supervised. A good first step is checking the expiration date on a pet's rabies certificate or tag.
The Martin County alert also tells residents not to leave pet food or unsecured garbage outdoors. A bowl on the patio can draw raccoons close to the house, where they may come into contact with a family dog or cat. Bring bowls inside and close trash lids.
Officials also advise residents to avoid contact with wild or stray animals, never adopt wildlife, and keep wild animals out of homes and other occupied spaces.
After a Bite or Scratch in Clay or Martin County
Rabies spreads mainly through the bite or scratch of an infected animal. Anyone bitten or scratched should wash the wound, seek medical care, and report it. The Clay County health department advises scrubbing a wound "with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes."
In Clay County, report bites or scratches to DOH-Clay at 904-529-2924, the number listed in the Orange Park alert. Orange Park Animal Control can be reached at 904-269-6342, option 3. In Martin County, the DOH-Martin rabies program takes bite reports at 772-221-4030, and bites or stray animal concerns can also be reported to Martin County Animal Control at 772-463-3211.
If a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal attacks a pet, Clay County advises washing the pet with soap and water to remove saliva, wearing gloves when checking for injuries, and calling a veterinarian right away. A dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person is generally quarantined for 10 days or tested for rabies.
Clay County health officials offered a clear reassurance: "If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies." Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, decisions about treatment should be made with a clinician soon after a possible exposure, not after waiting to see whether symptoms develop.
National Treatment Demand Raises the Stakes
On Sept. 10, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory on a nationwide increase in reported human rabies exposures. The agency received 17% more rabies-related inquiries in July and August 2026 than during the same period in 2025. As of Sept. 2, estimated use of rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin was up about 33% and 76%, respectively, compared with the previous year.
"A typical course of PEP can cost between $11,000 and $14,000 per person," the advisory states, referring to post-exposure prophylaxis, the shots given after a possible exposure.
The advisory does not mention Florida, and the two raccoon cases have not been linked to the national trend. Its advice for pet owners matches local guidance: "If you have pets, keep them up to date on rabies vaccines and away from wildlife when possible."
Both alerts run through late November, and officials note that rabies can be present outside the alert boundaries. For most families, the steps are simple: check pet vaccine dates, bring food bowls inside, keep children away from wildlife, and call the county health department right after any bite or scratch.
Key Questions Answered
Where are the new rabies alerts? One covers the Orange Park area off Kingsley Road in Clay County. The other covers part of Stuart in Martin County near South Kanner Highway.
How long will the alerts last? Both were issued Sept. 30 and run for 60 days. Rabies may also be present outside the boundaries.
Were any people or pets exposed? Neither alert described an exposure linked to the two raccoons.
Who should I call after a bite or scratch? After washing the wound and seeking medical care, call DOH-Clay at 904-529-2924 or DOH-Martin at 772-221-4030.
Does my pet need a rabies shot? Florida law requires rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Ask your veterinarian whether your pet is current.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
