The Florida Department of Health has issued a rabies alert for the Melbourne area following a positive rabies test in a stray cat. The rabies alert, which will be in effect for 60 days, is a precautionary measure after the cat was found in the Lynn Avenue area off Laurie Street in Brevard County on July 17.

Rabies Alert Boundaries

The rabies alert applies to the following boundaries in Brevard County:

Northern boundary: North Harbor City Boulevard

Southern boundary: Lorraine Drive

Eastern boundary: South Babcock Street

Western boundary: Magnolia Avenue

Safety Measures During the Rabies Alert

"DOH-Brevard is monitoring rabies among wild animals in the area. All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population," the health department stated in a press release. "People and domestic animals should always avoid physical contact with wild animals (e.g., raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, coyotes), which carry a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment," they told local sources.

Residents and visitors are urged to take the following precautions to minimize rabies exposure during the rabies alert:

Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash; ensure livestock is secured on your property.

If bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention and report the incident to DOH-Brevard at 321-634-6337 (option 3).

If your pet or livestock is bitten, seek veterinary assistance immediately and contact Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services at 321-633-2024.

Avoid handling, feeding, or unintentionally attracting stray animals with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other food sources.

Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.

Follow your veterinarian’s recommended schedule to immunize your pets and livestock.

Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come into contact with people and pets.

Recent Rabies Incidents In Melbourne

This rabies alert marks the third such warning in the Melbourne area this year. In June, another alert was issued after a raccoon captured near Breeze Lane and Lorna Drive tested positive for rabies. In April, a raccoon tested positive on Hield Road off Minton Road.

While rabies cases in animals have decreased in Florida over the past two decades, the current rabies alert highlights the need for continued vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard both humans and animals from this potentially deadly disease.