Fox That Attacked Couple Tests Positive For Rabies

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A fox that attacked a northwest Cherokee County couple last week has tested positive for rabies.

That’s according to the North Georgia Health District, which confirmed the news on Monday in its press release.

The couple was in their yard at their home in the Lake Arrowhead community on Sunday, July 12 when the incident occurred. The woman suffered scratches on her leg and the man was bitten, the press release states.

The animal was subsequently shot, and Cherokee County Animal Control officers collected the carcass. The fox’s body was picked up on Monday, July 13 by Cherokee County Environmental Health officials, and shipped to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for testing.

The test came back positive on Wednesday, July 15. Meanwhile, following health officials’ recommendations, the couple has started post-exposure rabies treatment.

Health officials advise residents to be wary of unfamiliar animals, wild or tame, “that exhibit unusual behavior and report them to animal control or the county environmental health office,” the health district said.

The public is also urged to report any attacks or bites by a stray or wild animal to the local environmental health office, which can be reached at (770) 479-0444.

If bitten, individuals are advised to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water, and seek immediate medical attention. If a pet is bitten, the owner should seek veterinary assistance for the animal right away. The health care provider and/or the veterinarian will need to know the following to assess the risk of rabies exposure:

• The geographic location of the incident
• The type of animal that was involved
• How the exposure occurred (provoked or unprovoked)
• The vaccination status of the animal
• Whether the animal can be safely captured and tested for rabies

Additionally, owners are strong encouraged to make sure all pets are kept current on rabies vaccinations.

For more information about rabies, contact the local county environmental health office or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

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Image via Shutterstock