Rabies Information

The Rabies Prevention and Surveillance Investigation program helps stop the spread of rabies in the community by investigating animal bites to humans. It is also possible, but quite rare, that people may get rabies if infectious material from a rabid animal, such as saliva, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.

Any mammal can get rabies. The most common wild reservoirs of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes. Domestic mammals can also get rabies. Cats, cattle, and dogs are the most frequently reported rabid domestic animals in the United States.

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) works in cooperation with Pinellas County Animal Services to evaluate cases of animal bites for the purpose of ruling out rabies concern to the individual and community.