Rabies alert in Miami-Dade: Case confirmed in a horse and wildlife being monitored

The health authorities of Florida have issued a rabies alert for an area in southwest Miami-Dade after a horse tested positive for the disease.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County confirmed the case this Wednesday and announced that it is monitoring the presence of the virus in the local wildlife, reported the television station WSVN.

The infected animal was found in an unincorporated area near State Road 997 (Krome Avenue).

The alert will be in effect for 60 days and warns that rabies is present in wild animals in the area. The affected zone is bounded by Southwest 128 Street to the north, 161 Street to the south, 177 Avenue to the east, and 197 Avenue to the west.

Authorities urged residents to avoid contact with wild animals such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, and coyotes. Pet owners are also advised to vaccinate their animals, keep them safe, and report any possible exposure.

Additionally, it is important to remember that anyone who is bitten or scratched by an animal should seek immediate medical attention and contact health authorities.

Additionally, authorities reminded that for any doubts or to report possible cases of exposure to rabies, residents can contact the Miami-Dade Health Department by calling 305-470-5660, or reach out to County Animal Services by dialing 311.

In January 2018, a tragic case shocked Florida when a six-year-old boy died after contracting rabies from a bat scratch.

The minor, identified as Ryker Roque, was treated at a hospital in Orlando using an experimental protocol, but unfortunately, he did not survive. The incident occurred after the child's father found a sick bat and, despite warning him not to touch it, the child reached into the bucket where the animal was, leading to the infection.

This was one of the few times in the United States that the Milwaukee Protocol was applied, which until that moment had only saved a very small number of people worldwide.

In August of the same year, the health authorities of Miami-Dade County issued a rabies alert for the western area of Kendall, after detecting that three raccoons had tested positive for the disease.

The health warning was extended for 60 days, and authorities urged residents to keep their pets vaccinated, avoid contact with wild animals, and report any potential exposure.

This outbreak marked the third confirmed case of rabies in animals in the county that year, highlighting how rabies continued to pose a public health risk in South Florida.

Two months later, in October 2018, another case raised alarms in the Miami metropolitan area. A cat tested positive for rabies, prompting a new alert in the southwestern part of the county.

Authorities are once again concerned about the potential spread of the virus among both wildlife and domestic animals. Recommendations to vaccinate pets and avoid contact with wild specimens, especially raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats, which serve as the primary vectors of the virus in the region, were reiterated.

Frequently Asked Questions about the rabies alert in Miami-Dade