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Hernando Today
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Search Widens For Woman Attacked By Rabid Cat
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Published: February 24, 2009
Spring Hill - The Hernando County Health Department is widening its search for a woman attacked by a rabid cat last Thursday, including reverse 911 calls to 805 people who live in the area.
The calls were made Tuesday in hopes of locating the woman who was potentially exposed to the rabies virus. Health department officials are concerned because human cases of rabies can prove fatal if not treated within 10 days.
It still has to be determined, however, whether the woman was exposed in the first place.
"The purpose for finding her is to evaluate whether she needs to be treated," said Ann-Gayle Ellis, health department spokeswoman.
A bystander described the victim for health department officials as a white woman with blonde hair who was wearing a white sweater and blue pants. She was jogging with another woman around 6 p.m. on Horizon Drive when the rabid cat jumped on her back, according to the Hernando County Health Department.
The calico cat also exposed the rabies virus to two other people, a dog and an Animal Services worker before its capture. The cat has since been euthanized.
Since the attack, Animal Services workers have been searching the area of Geneva Street and Eldridge Road for clues. During these searches, county workers have encountered "numerous" cats running loose in the area. All pet owners are strongly encouraged to keep their pet's rabies vaccinations up to date and to keep them from roaming free.
Hernando County deputies have been patrolling the area south of Spring Hill Drive at dusk in hopes that the woman is jogging a particular route.
On Tuesday, Hernando County Emergency Management issued a reverse 911 call to 805 phone numbers. About 515 people answered the phone.
It's possible that the woman wasn't injured at all by the attack. But Ellis was at a loss to explain why she hasn't come forward sooner.
"Maybe she hasn't heard the message," Ellis said.
A human would react like any other mammal exposed to the rabies virus. That includes symptoms such as trouble swallowing, confusion and aggressiveness. There are no documented cases of rabies transfer from one human bite to another, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com
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