On Tuesday, Aug.17, FDOH-Okeechobee was notified that there were several dead bats located at a busy shopping center. After confirming with Florida Fish and...
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OKEECHOBEE — On Tuesday, Aug.17, Florida Department of Health-Okeechobee was notified that there were several dead bats located at a busy shopping center. After confirming with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the shopping center employee, that the dead bats were confirmed and being properly disposed of, we proceeded to get the information of the owner of the shopping center. FWC officers and FWC research lab team members collected the dead bats to process for possible cause of death.
Rabies Prevention
• Avoid direct human and domestic animal contact with animals.
• Have your veterinarian vaccinate pets and at-risk livestock, make sure you follow your veterinarians instructions for revaccination.
• Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property.
• Educate the public to reduce contact with stray and feral animals.
• Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
Provide pre-exposure prophylaxis for people in high-risk professions, such as animal control and veterinary personnel, laboratory workers, and those working with wildlife.
If you have handled a bat, come in contact, or taken a bat from any Okeechobee County shopping areas, please contact The Florida Dept of Health in Okeechobee County, at 863-462-5800 or come into the health department at 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave. in Okeechobee.
Disease Control & Health Prevention of Rabies is part of FDOH-Okeechobee’s Strategic Plan and aligns with the State Strategic Plan.