Fox tests positive for rabies

VALLEY — Tests confirm that a fox found dead in the Riverview community in June was rabid.

A news release states that on Friday, June 27, Animal Control Officer Melissa Smith responded to the Riverview community in reference to a fox that was found in a residence. Upon arriving at the scene, the animal was found deceased outside of the residence.

The fox was turned over to the state testing lab in Montgomery. Test results confirmed that the fox had tested positive for rabies.

In 2007, the state of Alabama had 80 laboratory confirmed cases of rabies. Although any mammal can get rabies, it is most commonly found in raccoons, opossums, foxes and bats. Domestic mammals can also get rabies.

Smith said this was the first case or rabies for the city of Valley this year and the second case in the county.

“I don’t remember any cases last year,” she said. “We had a rabid raccoon out in the county earlier this year so this (fox) is the second case this year.”

The animal control officer said people need to make sure to have their pets vaccinated, and to be cautious of wildlife if they were not acting naturally.

Transmission of the virus begins when the infected saliva of a host is passed to an uninfected animal. Signs that an animal may have rabies
include:

—Changes in behavior,

—Wild animals that appear tame or sick, timid or shy,

—An increase in drool or saliva,

—Difficulty moving or paralysis,

—Hostile behavior or biting at everything, or

—Any animal that is not typically seen during daylight hours.

The release suggests ways that rabies can be prevented:

—Be a responsible pet owner by keeping all vaccinations current, call animal control to remove stray animals from your neighborhood,

—Teach children not to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly,

—Wash any wound from an animal thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention,

—Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly.

The city of Valley asks that all citizens avoid contact with any animal that is behaving strangely and to contact the Valley Police Department immediately at 334-756-5200.