Boca Raton issues rabies alert after bat tests positive

BOCA RATON, Fla. – A rabies alert has been issued in a Florida city after a bat tested positive for the dangerous disease.

The alert was issued by the state health department for part of Boca Raton. Tests results last week confirmed the bat was rabid.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Saturday that this is the fifth confirmed rabid animal this year in Palm Beach County.

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Authorities say residents in some Boca Raton neighborhoods should avoid contact with any wild animals, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes.

Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and can be fatal to warm-blooded animals and people. Diseased animals can also infect dogs, cats and other pets.