The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a rabies alert for Lehigh Acres. Health officials said this was in response to a cat that tested positive last week on July 23.

Officials said all residents and visitors in Lee 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 urged to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Lee County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not get a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert, officials said.

The recent rabies alert is for 60 days. The center of the rabies alert is in Lehigh, and includes the following boundaries in Lee County: State Road 82, Buckingham Road, Sunshine Blvd. North and 15th St. SW

An animal with rabies may infect other wild 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, health officials said.

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 or shots.

Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure, will protect an exposed person from the disease, health officials said.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

– 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. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Lee County Domestic Animal Services at (239) 533-7387.

– Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.

– Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

– 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 Lee County at (239) 332-9580.