Rabies Prevention  

Rabies is an invariably fatal, acute viral disease that is preventable if adults and children follow basic precautions when dealing with wild animals, strays and pets.  In January 1996, a man bitten by a rabid dog in Mexico died in Naples. The last time a rabid animal was reported in Collier County was in March of 2011 when a bat tested positive for rabies.

The Collier County Health Department and Collier County Domestic Animal Services urges all residents and visitors of Collier County to take the following standard precautions that should reduce the possibility of rabies exposure to humans or pets: 

• Avoid contact with wild animals, especially raccoons, cats, foxes, skunks, bats, bobcats and otters.  Do not feed, pet or trap any animal.

• Make sure that your dogs and cats have current rabies vaccinations and are wearing Collier County license tags.  If your pets must go outside, they must be leashed.  Dogs and cats found running loose will be impounded.

• Do not feed your pets outside.  Pet food attracts wildlife.

• Children and adults should stay away from wild animals and unknown dogs and cats. Children should inform an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal.  Please educate children in this regard as a rabid animal can transmit the disease to domesticated animals which in turn can infect humans.

• Do not touch dead animals.

• Do not keep wildlife as pets.

• Report strange acting animals to Collier County Domestic Animal Services at 252-7387.

Rabies prevention and control strategies and interventions have succeeded in lowering the number of human rabies deaths in the United States to an average of one to two per year.  These programs are estimated to cost the U.S. between $230 and $1 billion per year.  Worldwide it is estimated that between 40,000 to 100,000 human deaths are caused by rabies annually.  While the number of human rabies cases has declined significantly in the United States the actual number of animal rabies cases has exceeded historical reporting limits in recent years. 

Rabies Prevention and Control in Florida, 2011

Please note: Under Florida Law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

If you have any questions about Rabies Prevention, please contact: