Rabid fox bites Alabama woman while she unloads her groceries

Alabama public health officials are urging residents to update their pet’s vaccinations after a fox that attacked an Atmore woman while she was unloading her groceries tested positive for rabies.

The Alabama Department of Public Health reports that the woman was returning from grocery shopping and unloading her vehicle when, while holding a loaf of bread and “seemingly out of nowhere,” she was attacked and bitten by a fox.

The fox was taken to a Health Department laboratory where it tested positive for rabies.

The viral disease can be fatal if untreated, but the Health Department notes that the woman has received appropriation medical attention and post-exposure prophylaxis.

“Although rabies is primarily found in wild animal since widespread vaccination of domestic animals began over 70 years ago, it continues to be a public health threat,” said Dr. Dee Jones, State Public Health veterinarian.

“Although attacks such as this by rabid wildlife are rather uncommon, it highlights the risk rabies continues to pose and hopefully reminds people to be aware of the risks and continue to vaccinate their pets.”

It is rare for people to get bitten by rabid foxes, but incidences do occur.

The most notable attacks were in 2018 in Baldwin County, after people reporting spotting foxes displaying erratic behavior as they roamed the fast-growing county. The state reported 13 cases of rabies in foxes that year, with five confirmations in Baldwin County.

So far this year, there have been 13 positive rabies tests overall, with five each coming from foxes and raccoons. Last year, there were 38 animals who tested positive for rabies in Alabama, with 20 occurring to raccoons and two to foxes.

The year with the most rabies confirmations in Alabama over the past decade was 2015, when there were a reported 83 cases. Of those 53 were raccoons, 13 bats and eight foxes.

Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks and older be current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.

Rabies vaccination is multi-faceted, according to the Health Department. It involves people taking precautions with wildlife, making sure pets are current on rabies vaccines, and always reporting an animal bite or other exposures to their medical provider and the ADPH.

In addition, the ADPH provides the following advice to lower exposure to rabies:

• Do not allow pets to run loose; confine 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 no go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
• Caution children not to go near a stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.