2nd case of rabies in Polk County came from dead raccoon [Video]

BARTOW, Fla. — A 60-day rabies alert is in effect Monday in West Frostproof, according to the Florida Department of Health in Polk County.

The department issued the alert Monday in response to a second confirmed case of the disease from a dead raccoon on April 5.

On April 3, a homeowner in the area of Maniac Lane in Frostproof called Polk County Sheriff’s Office animal control officers to assist their dog that was fighting with the raccoon, the office said in a recent news release. The dog ended up killing the raccoon before officers got there.

Its body was sent to the state laboratory where it tested positive for rabies two days later.

The alert impacts those in these listed areas in Polk County, per the department:

Northern boundary: State Highway 630 West

Eastern boundary: Lake Clinch

Southern boundary: Kelly Road

Western boundary:…