“Rabies-Positive Area Cautioned” in unincorporated Central Palm Beach County; this “rabies-positive” pit bull WAS NOT found “in Lake Worth”.

Take note: False news report from WPBF/ABC25 about this incident of rabies. Learn below where this incident of rabies actually occurred. The news report by Whitney Burbank titled, “Lake Worth dog tests positive for rabies” gives the wrong location. This incident of rabies DID NOT happen “in Lake Worth”:

“Walesky [Animal Care and Control spokesman Capt. Dave Walesky] said [pit bull dog] Luigi’s owners recorded the two-year-old pitbull [sic] after they discovered him, unable to move, outside the home on Eddy Court in Lake Worth [sic] last week.
     They rushed to [sic] Luigi the veterinarian, but it was too late. According to Walesky, tests revealed the dog had rabies -- Palm Beach County’s only recorded case in nearly five years.”

A news report by Tania Rogers at NBC5/WPTV gives the accurate location of this incident: “Fliers warn of rabies in suburban Lake Worth”.

The original blog post about this rare but
very dangerous viral disease follows:

Below are excerpts from the front page news in today’s Lake Worth Herald with contact information and advice from the Florida Dept. of Health and Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

Animals exhibiting signs of sickness and aggressive behavior should be reported to Animal Control
at 561-233-1200 immediately.

“Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal
to warm blooded animals and humans.” Learn
more about rabies below.

This rabies-positive area is west of Edgecliff Ave. in unincorporated PBC, south of Greenacres and
west of Atlantis (between Jog and Haverhill roads,
north of Lantana Rd.).

Important information from The Lake Worth Herald:

Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County along with Animal Care and Control have confirmed that a pit bull taken to a veterinarian for wound treatment last Thursday was positive for rabies. At least two persons were exposed to the sick animal and the Department of Health is looking for others that may have been exposed.
     Department of Health Epidemiologists received confirmation from the Florida State Lab and immediately reached out to the veterinarian, dog owner, and other potential contacts. The Department is also asking anyone from the community, west of Edgecliffe Ave and North of Lantana Road that may have had contact with this or any other stray or wild animal since October 22 to notify the department at 561-671-4184.

and. . .

     The only treatment for human exposure to rabies is rabies-specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Appropriate treatment started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease. The following advice is issued:

• 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 Animal Care & Control at 561-233-1200.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
• 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.

For further information on rabies go to Florida Department of Health’s website or contact Florida Health Palm Beach County: 561-840-4500.