Rabid raccoon captured in Cedar Grove

PANAMA CITY — A raccoon captured near East 11th Street and Everitt Avenue has tested positive for rabies, according to the Florida Department of Health in Bay County.

A county-wide rabies alert issued last week after a fourth animal tested positive for rabies has been extended for another 60 days. A rabid raccoon was killed by dogs off Oakenshaw Drive in Youngstown last week. Last month a rabid raccoon was killed by a dog along Sukoshi Drive in Callaway. A rabies alert was issued for Northern Bay County in early March after a second gray fox was killed north of Edwards Road in the Southport area.

Rabies is a fatal viral infection of the nervous system that is transmitted from animal to animal or animal to human by bite, scratch, or mucous membrane exposure to

Florida law requires dogs and cats four months or older be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian against rabies.