From staff reports

Health department officials are urging Escambia County residents and visitors to protect themselves from rabies exposure by avoiding contact with wild and stray animals after a rabid cat attacked two people.

A stray cat recently attacked two individuals in Escambia County, and tissue samples from the animal tested at the state laboratory confirmed the presence of the rabies virus, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County.

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Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system. Without proper treatment, rabies can cause brain infection and death. It is transmitted by a rabid animal through a bite, a scratch or by contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

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Dr. John J. Lanza, director of the FDOH-Escambia, stressed that while rabies is a fatal infection, it is preventable. Rabies shots can protect a bite victim from developing the rabies infection if given soon after the bite occurs.

"It is important to not feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies," he said in a prepared statement. "Persons who are bitten by a wild animal or an animal who has not been vaccinated against rabies should seek immediate medical care. Proper medical treatment of an animal bite can be life-saving."

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In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.

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To protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies follow these steps: