YORKTOWN, Va. – The Department of Public Health Peninsula Health District is contacting businesses and residence after a fox in Yorktown tested positive for rabies.
The rabid fox was found on the 100 block of Terrance Circle in York County
Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease that is carried by mammals and has been in the wild animal population on the Peninsula since the mid 1980’s, said officials with the Peninsula Health District. They also say the their local office of Environmental Health Services will be contacting the immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowner’s association that serves the community.
Officials say that anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal (bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, mouth) is asked to contact the Health Department at (757) 594-7340. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal. After hours, please contact the York County Animal Control at (757) 890-3601.
The District would like to remind all citizens to follow these four important rabies prevention guidelines:
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance – do not feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.
- Do not feed your pets outside, leave trash uncovered, or do anything that may attract wild animals to your property.
