GIBSONTON, Fla. -- The Hillsborough County Health Department is warning residents in the Gibsonton area of a neighborhood cat that tested positive for rabies. 

  • Gibsonton neighborhood cat tests positive for rabies
  • One adult, one child, one domestic dog exposed
  • Officials trying to locate anyone else exposed

Officials say the grey tabby domestic shorthair cat lived around E. Bay Road and exposed at least one adult, one child, and one domestic dog. The two people who have been exposed have already begun rabies post exposure vaccines, officials said, and the dog received a booster for rabies and is being quarantined for 45 days.

The cat also recently gave birth to several kittens, officials said. The kittens will also be tested for rabies. 

Officials are trying to locate anyone else who may have been exposed to the cat. The DOH-Hillsborough will notify all homes within a 500-foot radius of where the cat was found. Anyone who has been bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of this cat is asked to report the exposure to DOH-Hillsborough.

DOH-Hillsborough strongly recommends avoiding contact with wildlife or any unknown animal. 

Hillsborough County has identified five rabid animals--three cats, one bat, and one raccoon--that exposed 13 people and two domestic dogs to the disease so far this year. 

Officials advise residents to take the following precaustions:

  • Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
  • If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center at (813) 744-5660.
  • Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
  • Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
  • Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County at (813) 307-8059.

For more information on rabies, click here.