A man in Wake County was bitten by a rabid fox on Tuesday, marking the third fox-related rabies attack in the county this month.
According to Wake County officials, the attack happened in a neighborhood near Pulley Town Road and Thornburg Drive in Wake Forest. Animal Control officers responded quickly and later captured the fox. It tested positive for rabies on Wednesday.
No one else was bitten during the incident. Wake County Animal Control is now going door-to-door in the area to check if pets need rabies vaccines. Authorities are also asking anyone who may have seen or come into contact with the fox to call the Wake County Communicable Disease line at 919-250-4462.
This latest attack is part of a troubling trend. So far this month, four animals have tested positive for rabies after biting people in Wake County. Two of those animals were foxes in Raleigh. In another case, a fox attacked a home inspector in Fayetteville.
To help prevent rabies, Wake County health officials are urging residents to follow these safety tips:
- Stay away from animals you don’t know.
- Make sure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies shots. Pets that go outside should get a booster shot and be kept indoors until they do.
- Don’t feed stray or wild animals, including cats and dogs.
- Keep trash and pet food secured with tightly sealed lids.
- If you feed your pet outside, bring the food inside overnight.
- If your pet has contact with a possibly rabid animal, call your vet right away.
Rabies is a serious disease, but with quick action and awareness, it can be prevented.
