HUDSON – The Columbia County Health Department reported a fox attacked a woman in Germantown resulting in the rabies post-exposure vaccination because the fox tested positive for the deadly disease.
The health department has experienced a sharp increase in the number of cases of confirmed rabid animals, as warmer weather of spring approached with six out of seven raccoons tested positive for rabies.
The danger of rabies is not just limited to raccoons, said Ed Coons, the county’s environmental health director. Other mammals including skunks, foxes and feral cats can also carry the virus.
Coons said any potential rabies exposure to any wild or stray animal should be reported to the Columbia County Health Department at 518-828-3358. “Prevention continues to be the best way to avoid a possible exposure.”
Coons said prevention begins with the pet owner. According to state public health law, dogs, cats and ferrets kept as pets must be immunized against rabies by their owners.
The Columbia County Health Department has two more rabies clinics scheduled for cats, dogs and ferrets that are free to county residents. On Wednesday, October 2, a clinic will be held at Claverack Town Park and on November 2 at Kinderhook Town Hall.
