Rabies virus is very deadly, with nearly 100% fatal illness in humans and other mammals.

The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County (DOH-St. Johns) works with St. Johns County Animal Control to evaluate animal bites to humans and determine the risk of rabies in the community.

Animals with rabies may show strange behavior — they can be aggressive, attack for no apparent reason, or act very tame (especially wild animals). They may not be able to eat, drink, or swallow.

If you have questions about an animal’s behavior, you can call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 386-758-0525 for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. Any mammal can get rabies. The most common wild animals that can get rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes. Domestic mammals, such as unvaccinated cats and dogs, can also get rabies.

How do you get rabies?

When an animal is sick with rabies, the virus is shed in the saliva and can be passed to another animal or a person, usually through a bite.

Transmission may also occur if this saliva or the animal’s nervous tissue enters open wounds, the mouth, nose, or eyes of another animal or person, but this is rare.

What should I do if I am bitten by an animal?
  • Immediately scrub the wound with lots of soap and running water for five to ten minutes.
  • Try to get a complete description of the animal and determine where it is so that it can be contained by animal control for quarantine or rabies testing.
  • Go to your health care provider or the nearest emergency room.
  • Call DOH-St. Johns (904-506-6081) or St. Johns Animal Control (904-209-0746) with the description and location of the animal. The animal will either be quarantined for ten days (if it is a dog, cat, or ferret) or be tested for rabies.
  • If the animal is deceased, be careful not to damage the head, and avoid further contact.
How is rabies treated?

Rabies cannot be treated, but it can be prevented. You can receive treatment called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after being bitten that will prevent you from getting rabies. Rabies PEP is a series of immunizations that stimulate your body to produce antibodies against the virus. It must be given before symptoms begin in order to be effective.

Additional Information