The Alabama Division of Public Well being has issued a public warning after a rabid fox bit a girl.
“An older Atmore resident was coming back from grocery procuring and unloading her automobile. Whereas holding a loaf of bread in hand, seemingly from out of nowhere, she was attacked and bitten by a fox,” Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Well being veterinarian, mentioned.
The fox was taken to the Alabama Division of Public Well being Bureau of Medical Laboratories the place it was confirmed optimistic for rabies. Rabies is a viral illness that may be deadly if untreated.
“Though rabies is primarily present in wild animals since widespread vaccination of home animals started over 70 years in the past, it continues to be a public well being menace,” Jones mentioned. “Though assaults reminiscent of this by rabid wildlife are fairly unusual, it highlights the danger rabies continues poses and hopefully reminds individuals to pay attention to the dangers and proceed to vaccinate their pets.”
Alabama state legislation requires that canine, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be present with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are additionally accessible for horses and different livestock if advisable by a veterinarian. Vaccinating animals reduces the danger of rabies an infection ought to publicity happen; thus, vaccinations defend animals, in addition to their homeowners and caretakers, officers mentioned.
Along with vaccination, space residents are suggested by the well being division to take the next precautions to keep away from doable exposures to rabies:
- Don’t enable pets to run unfastened; confine inside a fenced-in space or with a leash.
- Don’t go away uneaten pet meals or scraps close to your residence.
- Don’t illegally feed or preserve wildlife as pets.
- Don’t go close to wildlife or home animals which might be appearing in a wierd or uncommon method.
- Warning youngsters to not go close to any stray or wild animal, no matter its conduct.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
