Residents of Durham County have been given a pointed reminder that wildlife is just that—wild. Health officials have confirmed not one, but two cases of rabies in local foxes within a span of a week, an event that has left the community on edge. According to a recent report by the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH), the first rabid fox was found deceased near the Carolina Arbors Community on July 31. The second case featured a more harrowing encounter when, on August 6, a fox attacked an individual in North Durham, prompting a second rabies confirmation.
Now might be a good time to give your furry pets an extra pat, because while sightings of these red-tailed animals are not unusual in these parts, aggressive behavior is a different story. “Foxes are common to see throughout North Carolina, and although they are typically not dangerous to humans, they are still wild animals and should not be approached,” Durham County Medical and Laboratory Director Dr. Jeffrey Jenks told DCoDPH. He also noted the serious nature of such atypical aggression, which can be indicative of rabies, a disease that, while preventable, is indisputably lethal once symptoms have taken hold.
Key signs to watch for in foxes include aggression, stumbling, disorientation, and that classic yet disturbing symptom: foaming at the mouth. If anyone in Durham County should encounter a fox exhibiting these concerning behaviors, or worse, becomes the target of an animal attack, the advice is unequivocal—call Durham County Animal Control at 919-560-0900 immediately…