Rabid animals and what to do

A fox believed to be rabid was spotted Tuesday (Dec. 13) off Clarks Chapel Road in a residential neighborhood. Residents also reported the sighting of a rabid fox Monday (Dec. 12) off Flat Creek Church Road.

A Buncombe County Department of Health official said the best thing to do when you spot an animal thought to be rabid is to call the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office - Animal Control division. They said residents inside Weaverville town limits could call Weaverville police or N.C. Wildlife Commission but she said certain agencies respond to certain animals and circumstances, so it is best to start with the BCSO. If an animal has not attacked or been confirmed to have rabies, agencies ask for anyone that comes near the animal to simply stay away.

The department recommends the following:

Rabies is easily transmitted among wild animals and unvaccinated pets, so the public has been alerted to watch for any animal that may be behaving strangely such as acting aggressively, stumbling or foaming at the mouth.

Rabies is not unusual among wildlife; however it’s important that steps be taken to prevent exposure to the disease among humans and pets. In North Carolina rabies is most common in raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but has also been found in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, bats and other animals.
The Buncombe County Department of Health makes the following recommendations to prevent the spread of rabies:

• Vaccinate your pets regularly according to North Carolina Law.
• Keep children and pets away from wild and strange animals. Don’t try to feed, touch, or play with a wild animal.
• Don’t allow pets to run at large.
• Secure garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids, and take them out in the morning of pick up, not the night before. Coyotes and other wildlife will scavenge trash.
• Feed pets indoors or remove food when your pet is finished eating outside. Wild animals are attracted to pet food left outdoors.
• Avoid contact with bats. If you find a bat during daylight hours, it is most likely unhealthy and should not be touched.
• Keep bird-feeder areas clean, and use bird feeders that keep seed off the ground. Foxes are attracted to small animals congregating on the ground. If you frequently see foxes, remove all feeders.
• Close off crawl spaces under sheds, porches, decks and homes. Some wildlife may use these spaces to rest or to build their dens.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. When contracted by humans, rabies is fatal unless early treatment is sought. There is no cure once symptoms develop, so immediate treatment is important to prevent the disease.

If bitten by any animal, clean the wound thoroughly (for at least 10 minutes) and then contact your doctor or Buncombe County Department of Health at 250-5109.

The fox in question was killed by an area resident. Neighbors who saw the animal said it was drooling, chattering his teeth and biting the bark off of a tree.