Ellijay (GA) – A fox that has now tested positive for rabies attempted to attack two hikers in Gilmer County on Sunday, July 19.
Gilmer County Environmental Health officials reported that a man and woman were walking along a road in the Eagle Mountain section of Coosawattee River Resort when a fox started coming towards them in a menacing manner. The man kicked the fox twice in the head and it landed in a ditch. The stunned fox got up and was approaching them again when a local woman saw what was happening and drove over the fox with her car.County environmental health was notified of the incident on Monday, July 20, and they prepared the specimen for shipment to the Georgia Public Health Laboratory. The lab confirmed on Tuesday, July 21 that the fox had tested positive for rabies.
It appeared the man who kicked the fox incurred no scratches or bites in the incident; however, as a precaution, environmental health officials have encouraged him to seek medical advice from his physician to determine his level of exposure.
Ray King, director of environmental health for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said, “Rabies exists in wildlife populations, so, naturally, rabid animals periodically come into contact with humans.”
King advises the public to be cautious when encountering either wild or domestic animals that are exhibiting unusual behavior and report them to animal control or their county environmental health office.
It is critical to also report any attacks or bites by a stray or wild animal.
If bitten, individuals are advised to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical attention, immediately. If a pet is bitten, the owner should seek veterinary assistance for the animal right away. The health care provider and/or the veterinarian will need to know the following to assess the risk of rabies exposure:
- The geographic location of the incident
- The type of animal that was involved
- How the exposure occurred (provoked or unprovoked)
- The vaccination status of the animal
- Whether the animal can be safely captured and tested for rabies
To help protect against rabies and prevent its spread, keep pets current on rabies vaccinations.
For more information about rabies, contact the local county environmental health office or log on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/features/rabiessafefamily.