A fox attacked and bit a woman in Atmore, Alabama while she was unloading her groceries.
Rabies is primarily found in wild animals and continues to be a public health threat. Vaccination and precautions are necessary to prevent exposure.
The fox tested positive for rabies at the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory.
This is the fifth confirmed case of rabies in a fox in Alabama this year.
A fox tested positive for rabies after attacking and biting a woman in Atmore, Alabama while she was unloading her groceries. This is the fifth confirmed case of rabies in a fox this year according to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).
The ADPH reports that the woman was returning home from grocery shopping and unloading her vehicle when, 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.
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. Rabies is primarily found in wild animals since widespread vaccination of domestic animals began over 70 years ago, but it continues to be a public health threat according to Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health Veterinarian.
Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age or older be current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian.
Rabies prevention is multifaceted. In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposures 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 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.
A fox attacked and bit an Atmore woman while she was unloading her groceries.
The fox tested positive for rabies at a Health Department laboratory.
There have been 13 positive rabies tests overall this year, with five each from foxes and raccoons.
Alabama state law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets over 12 weeks old to be current with rabies vaccinations.
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No formal fallacies found. There are some exaggerations and inflammatory rhetoric, such as describing the fox as 'rabid' before its status was confirmed and emphasizing the risk of rabies despite it being rare. The article also provides relevant information about rabies cases in Alabama over the years.
] A fox eating, as seen through the larger animal's carcass. Photo provided by Sarah Hoy and Michigan Technological University.[/quote],
