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Fox rabies incident reported

by jmaloni
Thu, Nov 10th 2011 04:10 pm

A fox found Nov. 4 off of 21st Street under the Lockport Road Bridge in Niagara Falls is presumed positive for rabies.

The fox was seen in multiple spots in this location over a four-day period. The body of the fox was somewhat mutilated when it was sent for rabies testing. Due to its state of deterioration, it was not able to be tested and is presumed to be positive, according to the Niagara County Health Department. If anyone had contact with this fox from Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, notify the Niagara County Department of Health Rabies Program at 439-7511 (business hours) or 439-7430 (after hours), to determine whether an exposure has occurred.

Rabies is a virus that affects the central nervous system and is fatal if allowed to incubate. Timely treatment with post-exposure prophylaxis, however, is 100 percent effective.

This incident serves as a reminder that rabies (raccoon and bat) is found in Western New York and illustrates the importance of mandatory dog, cat, and ferret rabies vaccinations, according to the Health Department. Residents should avoid feeding, or contact with wild animals and feral cats.

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