A fox that later tested positive for rabies recently attacked and bit a hunter in Lowndes County, prompting a warning from Alabama’s State Public Health veterinarian.

The incident happened in Burkville. The fox repeatedly attacked and bit the hunter’s shoes. The fox was subdued, captured and sent for testing to the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory.

The hunter has begun receiving the post-exposure prophylaxis series of treatment.

“This is a good reminder as the warmer months get underway to remember to vaccinate your animals and to report any strange-acting wildlife,” said Dr. Dee W. Jones, the State Public Health veterinarian.

“Since foxes are communal animals which can increase the likelihood of transmission, it is possible that additional foxes within this geographical proximity may be infected,” Jones said.

Jones noted that in the spring, more animal movement seems to result in an increase in positive rabid animal cases. He said that additional testing is being performed on the fox to determine the strain of rabies. He said it is expected to be the raccoon strain, the primary reservoir of rabies in terrestrial animals in Alabama, including this area of Lowndes County.

Instances of wildlife species attacking people is not common, but it does happen because of the altered mental states the virus causes in the animal, Jones said.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. Although there are animal rabies vaccines that last for one year or three years, the first rabies vaccination is only good for one year, regardless of which vaccine a pet receives. Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should an exposure occur; thus, vaccinations help protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers.

Rabies prevention is multifaceted. It involves people taking precautions with wildlife, making sure their pets are current on rabies vaccinations, and always reporting an animal bite or other exposure to their medical provider or ADPH. In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposure to rabies:

• Do not allow pets to run loose; confine them within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
• Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.
• Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
• Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
• Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.

For more information about rabies and prevention, please contact ADPH at (334) 206-5969 or visit the Rabies section of ADPH’s Infectious Diseases website.