A rabies alert has been issued for northwest Ocala and part of Marion County after a cat was found to have the disease.

The rabies alert will last for 60 days and includes the following boundaries:

  • North U.S. Highway 27 to the north
  • West Highway 40 to the south
  • Northwest 80th Avenue to the east
  • Northwest 120th Avenue to the west

People who are bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animals are urged to seek medical attention and report it to the Florida Department of Health in Marion County at 352-629-0137. If your pet is injured by a wild animal, you should seek veterinary treatment for it immediately and contact Marion County Animal Services at 352-671-8727.

Rabies treatment for humans should start as soon after exposure as possible.

The health department urges you to not to handle wildlife, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes, and don't feed or attract animals with open garbage cans or trash. Keep your pets under close supervision, and make sure their rabies vaccination is up to date.

For more information on rabies, go to www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/rabies.