The Lenoir County Health Department received confirmation from the North Carolina State Laboratory this week that a fox has tested positive for rabies.

Animal Control was contacted when  a dog was attacked by the fox. The dog was placed into quarantine,  but the fox could not initially be found. Through the help of watchful neighbors who alerted Animal Control that the fox was back in the neighborhood, the animal was captured within  24 hours of the attack. The fox was located just north of Pink Hill.

According to Pamela Brown, Health Director, "This is the second rabid fox found in Lenoir County this year, so we want to remind people that rabies is a deadly disease for both people and animals. Please let the Health Department, the hospital, or your doctor know if you have been scratched or bitten by or have handled an animal that could be rabid. We are thankful to the members of the community who alerted us when they saw this fox so that it could be captured; however, we urge people not to approach or touch an animal that could be rabid. Call Animal Control instead."

To keep pets safe, residents should have pets vaccinated for rabies and keep them away from stray or wild animals. 

For questions or concerns about rabies, please call the Lenoir County Health Department at 252-526-4200. For information about vaccinating pets for rabies, please contact a veterinarian.