LAKELAND, Fla. — A dead raccoon found in a donkey's mouth had rabies, according to officials in Polk County.
The sheriff's office said the incident marks the first confirmed rabies case the county has seen this year.
A woman found the raccoon and donkey Wednesday at a home on Hammockview Drive in Lakeland.
She and the homeowner called animal control, which confirmed the case of rabies on Friday.
The homeowner has two donkeys, but it's unclear which one had the raccoon in its mouth. So, both were put into a six-month quarantine.
Polk County saw three confirmed cases of rabies in 2018.
Rabies infects the central nervous system and can be deadly. Early symptoms may include fever or a headache, according to the CDC.
If you think you or your pet have been exposed to rabies, please contact PCSO Animal Control at 863-577-1762.
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