Rabid stray cat attacks three in Tampa

TAMPA (FOX 13) - A 60-day rabies alert has been issued for parts of Tampa after three people were attacked by a stray cat that was found to be rabid.

The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) said the cat was located near the 4500 block of W Knollwood Street in Tampa.

DOH-Hillsborough says it has confirmed three people, who are related, were victims of an unprovoked by the rabid cat Tuesday, August 21. They are all receiving treatment.

DOH-Hillsborough did not say whether the cat had since been captured. It was not known if anyone else has had contact with the cat, which is described as a brown tabby, domestic shorthair cat.

The boundaries are:

North - Waters Avenue

South - Hillsborough Avenue

East - Dale Mabry Highway

West - Veterans Expressway

If someone was in the boundary and was bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of a cat fitting the description or any wild animal, they should see a doctor, as well as contacting DOH-Hillsborough at (813) 307-8059.

The rabid stray cat marks the eighth rabid animal identified in Hillsborough County in 2018.