Rabies Surveillance

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. The virus attacks the brain of warm-blooded animals, including people. When an animal is sick with rabies, the virus is shed in the saliva and can be passed to another animal or a person, usually through a bite. Transmission may also occur if this saliva or the animal's nervous tissue enters open wounds, the mouth, nose, or eyes of another animal or person.

All animal bites within Hamilton County should be reported to the Environmental Health Section of the Florida Department of Health in Hamilton County for investigation and follow-up. Investigating all animal bites prevents the transmission of rabies to humans.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health's Rabies webpage.