20th case of rabies in NHC identified in fox | Families

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The 20th case of rabies this year has been identified in a fox, according to officials with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say Tuesday, Animal Services was called to pick up a fox that was killed by a family dog along Seafarer Drive in Carolina Beach.

The owner dog’s owner had handled the pet after the altercation, meaning that the owner could have been exposed. Fortunately, the dog was up-to-date on its current rabies vaccine.

The fox was transported to the state lab for testing, where it was determined that it tested positive for rabies.

The dog’s owner was notified, and the dog was subsequently given a rabies booster.

According to guidelines specified by the Centers for Disease Controls, animals with a current rabies vaccination at the time of exposure should be re-boostered within five days.

The news release said that it is recommended that all primary rabies vectors—raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats—be handled with protective gloves to prevent transmission. The primary route of transmission is through a bite, salivary contact to an open wound or salivary contact to the mucous membranes of a potential victim.

All pets should be vaccinated as a primary defense against the spread of rabies.

This case is the 153rd in overall cases within the county.

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