Rabid Cat Attacks Man In Gibsonton; Rabies Alert Issued For Area

GIBSONTON, FL -- A rabies alert has been issued by the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County following confirmation that a brown and black tabby, domestic shorthair cat has rabies.

The cat attacked a man near Nundy Avenue in Gibsonton. The victim told DOH-Hillsborough the cat jumped out of the bushes as he was walking and grabbed onto his foot. He then shot and killed the cat.

The victim is now undergoing rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

The rabies alert is for 60 days. The boundaries are:

*North - The Alafia River

*South - Symmes Road

*East - East Bay Road

*West - U.S. 41

Anyone who has been bitten, scratched or exposed to the saliva of any wild animal or an animal that is acting unusual should always report the exposure to the local health department and visit his or her preferred health care provider.

The contact number for DOH-Hillsborough is (813) 307-8059.

Last year, three animals exposed 10 people to rabies. In 2018, Hillsborough County has identified nine rabid animals (six cats, two bats and one raccoon) that exposed 20 people and four domestic dogs to the disease.

Image via Humane Society

A rabid cat similar to the one pictured attacked a Gibsonton man.

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