A fox bit two people Friday in Chapel Hill, according to Orange County Animal Services, and the search is now centered around the Erwin Road area near Kirkwood Drive and McGregor Drive. Officers were combing the neighborhood for the animal, which has not yet been tested, so officials do not know if it is rabid. Capturing the fox is key to figuring out whether the people who were bitten, and any nearby pets, will need follow-up care.
Orange County Animal Services told CBS17 that officers were on scene trying to locate and safely trap the fox. Residents have been urged to call local animal control or 911 if they spot a fox acting aggressively or in a way that seems out of character. The department is also reminding families to keep a close watch on children and pets when they are outside and to make sure pets are up to date on rabies vaccinations.
Officials’ guidance for those exposed
According to Orange County Animal Services, anyone bitten by a wild animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly, seek medical care without delay, and follow public-health instructions for possible rabies exposure. The county explains that post‑exposure evaluation and, if needed, rabies post‑exposure prophylaxis are coordinated through local health providers and state testing. Owners are also reminded that North Carolina law requires dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months to have current rabies vaccinations.
Local rabies activity this spring
This fox incident is landing in the middle of an already busy rabies season for the county. Earlier in April, a raccoon and an outdoor cat both tested positive for rabies, triggering contact tracing to identify any people or pets that may have been exposed. Chapelboro reported on those cases and the county response…