Cumberland County Animal Services Reports Rabies in Fox

Cumberland County Animal Services announced on Thursday that a fox tested positive for rabies.

The incident occurred when a home inspector, while examining a crawl space at a residence on Garden Court in Fayetteville, was bitten by an adult fox.

Animal services subsequently captured and euthanized the fox. Its remains were sent to the N.C. State Public Health Lab, where they confirmed the presence of rabies.

The home inspector is currently undergoing medical treatment.

This marks the second confirmed rabies case in Cumberland County within the past two months.

Additionally, it is the third rabies case reported in the Triangle area recently. Notably, a man who strangled a coyote tested positive for rabies in Roxboro, and a wild fox found in Raleigh also tested positive; however, it did not appear to have interacted with humans or other animals.

As of now, there is no evidence linking these cases.

Cumberland County Animal Services is urging pet owners to check whether their pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations. Pets lacking vaccination or nearing the time for a booster shot should be taken to a local veterinarian without delay.

The initial signs of rabies in animals often include altered behavior. Symptoms can manifest as sudden aggression, unprovoked attacks, or unusual calmness.

Wild animals might lose their natural fear of humans and behave in seemingly tame ways. Rabid animals could exhibit odd movements, such as walking in circles, dragging limbs, or falling over. They may struggle to swallow, find it difficult to eat or drink, and often exhibit excessive drooling. Typically, affected animals die within a week after showing symptoms.

Wildlife experts recommend making loud noises and waving arms to deter suspicious animals. Here are a few additional precautions:

• Do not approach unfamiliar animals.
• Verify that your pets are vaccinated against rabies. If they go outside, a booster vaccine is advised. Keep outdoor pets indoors until they are updated on vaccinations.
• Avoid feeding stray or unfamiliar animals.
• Secure food and trash in tightly closed containers.
• If you feed pets outdoors, do not leave food out overnight.
• Encourage children to keep their distance from unknown animals, following the principle: “Love your own, leave others alone!”
• Report stray animals to local animal control.