Rabies, Animal

Rabies, Animal

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

Rabies is monitored to prevent and control outbreaks.

In 2023, the number of Rabies, Animal in Alachua County was 14 compared to Florida at 65. The line graph shows change over time when there are at least three years of data.

Links:   Healthy People 2030 | Other Resource
Alachua County
Rabies, Animal, Single Year
Click on county name or “Florida” in the legend to hide or show the county or state.
Rabies, Animal, Single Year  
AlachuaFlorida
Data YearCountCount
20231465
2022565
2021885
2020182
20195130
20187111
2017479
2016559
2015883
2014194
20136103
20125102
20118120
201010121
20097161
20083138
20077128
200614176
200513198
200416204
Florida
Rabies, Animal, 2023
At least 51 counties must have rates greater than zero for a quartile map to be displayed.
Rabies, Animal, 2023  
CountyCount
Florida65
Alachua14
Baker2
Bay1
Bradford0
Brevard1
Broward0
Calhoun0
Charlotte0
Citrus1
Clay1
Collier0
Columbia1
Miami-Dade0
DeSoto0
Dixie0
Duval1
Escambia2
Flagler0
Franklin0
Gadsden0
Gilchrist0
Glades0
Gulf0
Hamilton0
Hardee0
Hendry0
Hernando0
Highlands0
Hillsborough1
Holmes1
Indian River0
Jackson1
Jefferson0
Lafayette0
Lake2
Lee0
Leon2
Levy2
Liberty0
Madison1
Manatee3
Marion4
Martin1
Monroe0
Nassau1
Okaloosa0
Okeechobee0
Orange6
Osceola1
Palm Beach1
Pasco1
Pinellas1
Polk3
Putnam0
St. Johns1
St. Lucie2
Santa Rosa0
Sarasota0
Seminole3
Sumter1
Suwannee0
Taylor0
Union0
Volusia1
Wakulla0
Walton0
Washington1
1/31/2025 12:59:44 PM

Data Note(s)


Data Source: Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology

  • This disease became reportable prior to 1992. This disease does not have a probable case classification. Counts and rates include confirmed cases of Rabies, Animal (Merlin code 07102).
  • Data presented here are from Merlin, Florida's web-based reportable disease surveillance system. Note that any data prior to 1992 are not maintained in Merlin and should be interpreted with caution.
  • Data in this report are aggregated by the date the case was reported to the Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida Department of Health. Cases are assigned to Florida counties based on the county of residence at the time of the disease identification, regardless of where they became ill or were hospitalized, diagnosed, or exposed.
  • Reports for reportable disease data are produced weekly, monthly, and annually. To access these reports, visit Surveillance Publications. More detailed information on interpreting data can be found in the introduction section of the annual reports. For questions, please contact the Bureau of Epidemiology at (850) 245-4401.
  • This is primary, quantitative data.
  • Chart will display if there are at least three years of data.
  • Multi-year counts are a sum of the selected years, not an average.
  • Quartiles are calculated when data are available for at least 51 counties.