Rabies Prophylaxis

With the cooperation of Broward County Animal Care and Control, suspected rabid animals are quarantined and/or tested to determine if the animal may have transmitted rabies to a human or pet through a bite or scratch. The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) also consults with patients, physicians, and veterinarians regarding the current recommendations for treating a rabies exposure.

Human exposure to rabies most frequently involves the bite of a rabid animal. A rabies exposure is defined as any bite, scratch, or other contact in which saliva or nervous tissue of a suspect or known rabid animal enters an open wound or comes in contact with mucous membranes by entering the eye, mouth, or nose of another animal or person.

If you have been bitten, scratched or exposed to an animal that has or is suspected to have rabies, please go to the nearest emergency room for wound care and prophylaxis.

The health care provider, to whom you present with the animal bite or other rabies exposure, has the responsibility to determine whether rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is required, to counsel you on the risks and benefits of PEP and to begin PEP as appropriate and available.

Individuals with potential rabies exposure, who have initiated PEP with their initiating health care provider, should complete the PEP with that same provider. If, for any reason, PEP has not been initiated as required or cannot be completed by the initiating health care provider, the exposed individual may contact DOH-Broward's Epidemiology Program at 954-734-3046 to arrange for PEP.

Florida Department of Health-Rabies Program