Rabid Fox Attacks North Escambia Resident; Health Officials Urge Caution

July 16, 2015

A rabid fox recently attacked a North Escambia resident, and that has health officials warning local residents to be on high alert.

The fox attacked the individual during the daylight hours in the Century area, and the individual killed the fox. The victim did undergo a series of rabies shots, according to the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. Environmental health specialists collected tissue samples from the fox which were used by the state laboratory to confirm the presence of the rabies virus.

The health department won’t disclose exactly where the incident occurred, instead pointing out the entire area should take precautions.

“Since rabies can spread easily among wild animal populations, the risk of exposure cannot be confined to a single neighborhood or street. All residents should take every possible precaution to avoid contact with wild animals,” said Dr. John Lanza, the FDOH-Escambia director.

Rabies is a viral disease that infects the central nervous system. Without proper treatment, rabies can cause brain infection and death. Rabies is transmitted by a rabid animal by a bite, a scratch, or by contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. A series of “rabies shots” can protect a bite victim from developing the rabies infection, if given soon after the bite occurs.

“Rabies is a fatal infection but is preventable,” Lanza said. “It is important to not feed or pet wild and stray animals, to avoid animals that appear to be acting strangely, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies. Persons who are bitten by a wild animal or an animal who has not been vaccinated against rabies should seek immediate medical care. Proper medical treatment of an animal bite can be life-saving.”

In Florida, raccoons, foxes, bats, and cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include dogs, bobcats, skunks, and otters. Because of their proximity to people, stray and unvaccinated cats and dogs pose a special risk.

  • Individuals cannot always tell if an animal has rabies by looking at it. To against rabies, the health department recommends residents follow these steps:
  • Teach your children not to go near wild and stray animals, and never keep them as pets.
  • Vaccinate your dog, cat, ferret, or horse to protect against rabies. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.
  • Do not feed your pets outside. The food may attract wild animals.
  • Make sure your garbage is securely covered. Open garbage attracts wild and stray animals.
  • Spay or neuter your pet to reduce its tendency to roam or fight.
  • Do not let your pets roam freely or allow them to interact with wild or stray animals. Keep them in a fenced yard or on a leash at all times.
  • Call Escambia County Animal Control, at (850) 595-0097, to remove stray animals from your neighborhood.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come into contact with people and pets.
  • If your pet is bitten by another animal, immediately seek veterinary assistance for the animal and contact Escambia County Animal Control.
  • If you are bitten by a wild animal, or by any animal that is acting strangely, seek medical care as soon as possible so that a physician can evaluate your risk of rabies infection and administer the rabies vaccine if appropriate.

DOH-Escambia’s Environmental Health division investigates animal bite reports, tests animals for rabies through the state laboratory, and orders animal quarantine as necessary. For more information, or to report an animal bite, contact the FDOH-Escambia Environmental Health office at (850) 595-6700 or visit www.EscambiaHealth.com.

Comments

10 Responses to “Rabid Fox Attacks North Escambia Resident; Health Officials Urge Caution”

  1. William on July 16th, 2015 6:12 pm

    >>To Lisa: I was not aware of any bobcat attack “nearby”.

    There was a bobcat attack in Crenshaw County, AL, about 45 miles or so south of Montgomery.

  2. Byrneville on July 16th, 2015 1:48 pm

    To Lisa: I was not aware of any bobcat attack “nearby”. Can you bring me up to date on that info. I’m concerned about all wildlife “attacks” on people.

  3. Kevin on July 16th, 2015 12:58 pm

    No animal control want come up to this area unless they need money then they will come up and harass people who try to take care of there animals and try and press city ordinances on people who live in the country they don’t care unless they can benefit from it we should all be careful when fooling with wildlife and try and stay away from them

  4. How many times do you have to report it on July 16th, 2015 12:24 pm

    I’ve reported stray cat issue to animal control and a month later they replied they couldn’t find them and close out the books or did not respond to phone call at all. I think they need to do a round up here in the north end particularly around fast food, convenience stores and grocery store. Do not feed them. They are there and in the city limits. They may have rabies also.

  5. William on July 16th, 2015 12:08 pm

    >>What kind of fox was it? A grey fox is pictured, but it doesn’t say anywhere which species!

    Health Dept has not said. And honestly, if one species has it, the other probably does too.

    I used a grey fox for the picture because, according to the FWC website, they should be more common around here. But I probably see more red ones at my place in Walnut Hill.

  6. Kristy Davies on July 16th, 2015 10:04 am

    What kind of fox was it? A grey fox is pictured, but it doesn’t say anywhere which species!

  7. Lisa on July 16th, 2015 9:29 am

    It seems now would be the time to vaccinate all livestock in the area, and put out oral rabies vaccines for wildlife. Locally, this makes sense to do right now, considering the recent bobcat attack nearby. I don’t know of the feasibility here, but it’s certainly done elsewhere.

  8. Maggie on July 16th, 2015 8:42 am

    I agree with “concerned”. They should be at least a little more specific due to the amount of livestock in different areas. I can understand the Health Department wanting everyone to be aware & cautious, but there’s a difference between living in Century city limits, and living near the Bratt area though most have a Century addresses. Those with cows and horses prompt more immediate concern. I think the health department should disclose the surrounding areas.

  9. William on July 16th, 2015 8:00 am

    “Concerned” — I expressed the same concerns to the health department yesterday, but they would not be more specific.

  10. Concerned on July 16th, 2015 6:50 am

    I understand the Health Department not wanting to release exact information, but most people consider Century to be Hwy 29 from Bluff springs to the Flomaton overpass. However, Century addresses include parts of Davisville, Bratt, Byrneville, Gandyville, Oak Grove, Mosquito Flats, and Fannie communities a fairly broad mileage area. It would pay to be a little more specific as some areas have cattle and horses when others don’t. By law can a fox be killed when we see it or just when it attacks? Just wondering!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News