BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — A woman from Bedford County is recovering after a rabid fox attacked her while she was on her porch, according to officials.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, a fox tested positive for rabies on July 21 after the attack.
“The fox was killed when it attacked a woman while she was on her porch in the Thaxton area of Bedford County near the intersection of Pendleton Road and Quarterwood Road,” VDH said.
The VDH said anyone in the area who may have been exposed to a fox or any other animal in the area, whether by a bite, scratch or saliva, should go to the doctor and contact the Bedford County Health Department at 540-586-7952.
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“This incident is a reminder that rabies is present in Virginia and sometimes infects domestic animals like dogs and cats,” VDH said. “Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and is lethal if proper medical care is not given following an exposure to the virus.”
The most common way rabies is spread is through a bite, but it can also be transmitted by saliva from a rabid animal contacting open wounds, the mouth, eyes or nose.
Here are some steps you can take to prevent rabies for you and your pets:
- Be sure that your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
- Avoid contact with wild animals or stray animals.
- Do not feed stray animals. Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
- Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.
- Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabber if you have concerns about sick or injured wildlife.
- Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
- Do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals. If a bat is found indoors and may have had contact with someone, do not release it. Call your local animal control officer or health department to determine if the animal should be picked up and tested for rabies.
- Report all bites to people to the local health department for investigation.
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