Rabid Fox Bites Gwinnett Woman

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County woman was bitten by a rabid fox, county officials announced Tuesday.

The incident happened Saturday, in the 900 block of Cripple Creek Drive in Lawrenceville. The fox was killed at the scene and tissue samples that were sent to a state lab tested positive for rabies on Monday.

The bite marked the seventh confirmed case of rabies in Gwinnett County this year, county officials said. That's compared to seven cases in all of 2016, four in 2015 and 12 in 2014.

Gwinnett Animal Welfare and Enforcement officers responded to the scene on Saturday. According to the department, there are numerous fox dens in the area near where the bite took place.

The county health department is advising residents to use caution and avoid animals behaving in unusual ways.

All pet owners also should ensure that their pets, including indoor pets, are current on their rabies vaccinations. The Centers For Disease Control & Prevention recommends that any unvaccinated animal that is exposed to rabies be euthanized or quarantined for at least six months.

According to the CDC, the principal carriers of rabies are bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes.

Rabies can be transmitted from an infected animal to humans. Prompt medical attention and treatment for rabies is advised after an exposure to an infected animal.

Without treatment, rabies infection in humans is fatal almost 100 percent of the time.

The Gwinnett County Health Department is available to answer questions regarding the impact of rabies on humans and can be reached at 770-339-4260.

If you or your child has had contact with a possibly rabid animal, scrub the wound with antiseptic soap and water, flush the wound and seek medical attention immediately. If possible, the animal should be captured so it can be tested.

Gwinnett residents may contact the Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement Bite Office at 770-339-3200 (Ext. 5576) or call the after-hours non-emergency dispatch at 770-513-5700.

Other tips, via Gwinnett County health officials, include:

• Rabid animals may act tame, or display strange and unusual behavior. They may act aggressive, avoid food and water, foam at the mouth, have trouble moving or move in a stiff, odd way.
• Stay away from unknown animals, especially wildlife.
• Report animals acting strangely to Gwinnett County Police Animal Welfare and Enforcement at 770.513.5700.
• Make sure your pets get their rabies shots regularly.
• Keep your pets on your property.
• Do not leave garbage or pet food outside. Outside food may attract wild or stray animals.
• Stay away from sick, hurt or dead animals. Do not pick up or move sick or hurt animals. If you find a wild animal that is sick or hurt, call 770.513.5700 or 770.339.3200.
• Do not keep wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes or coyotes as pets. It is dangerous and illegal.
• Teach your children not to go near, tease or play with wild animals or strange dogs and cats.

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