Fox Tests Positive for Rabies in Davidson County

On April 21, 2024, the Davidson County Health Department received reports confirming a positive rabies case within the Thomasville community near the junction of Motsinger Rd and Old Greensboro Rd.

Reports provided to the health department detail that an individual was attacked by a fox while doing yard work late last week. A neighbor was able to kill the fox and contact Animal Control for assistance. The bite victim did promptly seek postexposure prophylaxis treatment. This is the fourth lab-confirmed positive case of rabies in Davidson County for 2024.

The Davidson County Health Department provided a no-cost rabies clinic on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at our office in Lexington where 229 pets received vaccines. Thank you to our staff who worked the clinic, our partners with Davidson Animal Hospital who administered the vaccines, and the pet owners who came out to protect their pets from the rabies virus.

Our next free clinic is currently being planned. For updates regarding that event, please visit our website at: https://www.co.davidson.nc.us/200/Health.

Wild animals account for the majority of confirmed rabies cases in the United States. To protect yourself, family, friends, and pets beware of wild animals, especially those out during the daytime. Stay away from animals you do not know. If you see an unfamiliar or wild animal near or around your home, contact Animal Control for assistance. Do not attempt to handle or engage with wild animals, as the rabies virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. The rabies virus is 99.9% fatal in humans who do not seek immediate postexposure treatment. The rabies virus is 100% fatal in domestic animals if they have not received the rabies vaccine and kept up-to-date. North Carolina law requires that all domestic cats, dogs, and ferrets receive the rabies vaccine by 4 months of age.

For more information about rabies prevention visit: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/prevention/index.html.