Wake County is on alert after a fox bitten a local man was confirmed to be rabid. The incident occurred near Pulley Town Road and Thornburg Drive in Wake Forest and was responded to by Wake County Animal Control on Tuesday, the animal was later found to be carrying the rabies virus.
As of now, Health officials have not linked any other cases to this incident. However, in a precautionary effort, teams from Wake County Communicable Disease and Animal Control are planning to go door-to-door in the affected neighborhood to inform residents and check if pets need vaccinations.
“While rare, rabies is a deadly disease that can spread from animals to humans, so it’s critical to take simple steps to protect yourself and your pets,” said Wake County Commissioner Safiyah Jackson, in a statement obtained by Wake County News. The statement underscores the importance of avoiding contact with wild animals and ensuring that pets are current on their rabies vaccinations, alongside reporting any odd animal behavior to authorities.
Residents in Wake Forest, especially those in the vicinity of the biting incident, are urged to take immediate action if they or their pets have been bitten, or scratched by the fox, in question. Medical treatment should be sought without delay. To report exposure or for further guidance, the Wake County Communicable Disease line is available at 919-250-4462.
