Last case in Sarasota County appears to have been in late 2016

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) has begun monitoring rabies among wild animals in the community, the agency has announced, “in response to a single confirmed case of rabies in a raccoon …”
The animal was killed on Jan. 25 in the Bee Ridge Road area, on McIntosh Road between Proctor and Wilkinson roads in Sarasota County, the Health Department reported.
All residents and visitors should be aware that rabies may be present in the wild animal population, the Health Department emphasizes in a news release. People always should avoid physical contact with wild animals, such as raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes, the release also stresses.
Further, pet owners should make every effort to keep domestic animals from having contact with wildlife, the Health Department says.
The wildlife species listed above carry “a higher risk of human exposure and a need for rabies post-exposure treatment,” the release explains. “If you are exposed to rabies, receiving appropriate treatment after exposure will protect you from the risk of rabies,” the release adds.
A Sarasota News Leader search of past rabies alerts in the county found that, just before the end of 2016, the Health Department received laboratory confirmation of rabies in a bobcat. Health officials at that time reported that two bobcat attacks had occurred within 4 miles of one another in east Venice, between Venice Avenue and U.S. 41, approximately 2 miles west of River Road. As a result, that news release added, a Rabies Alert was in effect for 60 days for Venice and North Port.
Florida Department of Health records, found on the state agency’s website, also note a rabid bat case in the county in 2018. Then, in 2022, two rabies cases were identified in raccoons in Sarasota County, out of 31 for the entire state.
In 2023, the state reported 61 rabies cases. Raccoons were identified in the majority of those: 28; bats were in second place, with 19. The following are the 2023 data for counties adjacent to or near Sarasota County:
- Manatee — one rabies case in a cat, one in a racoon and one in a bat.
- Charlotte — none.
- Lee — none.
- Hillsborough — one in a cat.
- Pinellas — one in a bat.

On Feb. 3, when the News Leader was searching the state records, it learned that, during the latest period for which data is available — Jan. 1 through July 31 2024 — the state had a total count of 76 rabies cases. Once more, the largest number was associated with raccoons — 34 — with bats in second place — 18.
Of all the cases in the same group of counties as above, the News Leader found the following counts for the period of Jan. 1 through July 31, 2024:
- Manatee — none.
- Charlotte — none.
- Lee — none.
- Hillsborough — two in bats.
- Pinellas — one in a bat.
Precautions urged to prevent rabies exposure
County health officials have provided a list of precautions to help prevent exposure to rabies for humans and domestic animals:
- “Immunize your pets and livestock based on your veterinarian’s recommended schedule.
- “Keep pets under direct supervision and on a leash, and keep livestock secured on your property. If an animal bites your pet or livestock, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Sarasota Animal Services at 941-861-9501.
- “Avoid contact with wild or stray animals. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract them with outdoor pet food, open garbage cans, or other sources of food. If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, seek medical attention, and report the injury to DOH-Sarasota by calling 941-861-2873.
- “Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home; instead contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
- “Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. Contact Sarasota Animal Services at 941-861-9501.
- “Prevent wildlife, including bats, from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, schools, and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people and pets.”
For more information on rabies, persons may visit FloridaHealth.gov/Rabies or contact DOH-Sarasota at 941-861-2873.