Fox Found in JCC Tests Positive for Rabies

By WYDaily Staff Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Peninsula Health District has announced a fox found in the 3900 block of Windsormeade Way in James City County has tested positive for the rabies virus.

Officials with the local office of Environmental Health Services will be contacting the immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowners association that serves the community.

They're also asking residents in and near that address who may have had exposure to this animal by way of a bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose and/or mouth to contact the local health department at 253-4813. Exposures would also include direct contact between a resident's pet and the rabid animal.

After-hours reporting may be done by calling the local animal control office at 253-1800.

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 1980s.

The District would like to remind all citizens to follow these three 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 – don’t feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.