Rash Of Rabies Bites By Foxes In Bayside

Environmental officials advise caution, immediate medical attention if bitten

Humboldt Sentinel
12/18/08
By Charles Douglas

ARCATA -- Four rabid fox attacks in the last two months has local officials concerned for human safety in the south Arcata and Bayside area, especially as the attacks were unprovoked.

On Oct. 23, a man working near Anderson Lane and Old Arcata Road was bitten by a fox on his work pants, although it was shaken off and ran away. The following evening, a student and a custodian at the Jacoby Creek School were attacked on the pants and legs by a fox, which was shot by an Arcata Police Department officer -- the fox subsequently tested positive for rabies by the county public health laboratory. Both the child and the staff member were subsequently treated for their potential rabies exposure.

This week, on Monday, a dog on Golf Course Road was attacked by a fox, which was then shot by a local resident and submitted to Division of Environmental Health officials for testing. The next incident on Tuesday involved a woman on Clipper Lane who was bitten on the boot by a fox which then ran away.

Although rabies is present in Humboldt County wildlife, environmental health specialist Kevin Metcalfe stated in a DEH release that it is unusual to see this many rabid or suspected rabid wild animal encounters within the same area and short timeframe. Other areas of the county where foxes have tested positive this year include Willow Creek, Hydesville, and the Cummings Road and Pigeon Point areas east of Eureka. In each of these incidents the person involved did the correct thing by seeking medical attention, detaining the animal where possible, notifying local law enforcement, and contacting DEH.

Residents are warned that a fox can show very aggressive behavior when exhibiting the symptoms of the rabies virus. The recent events involved unprovoked attacks on people. Rabies is endemic or always present in the wildlife population and typically found in bats, skunks, and sometimes in wild carnivores such as coyotes or foxes. No matter where they reside, persons can protect themselves with the following measures:

1. Avoid contact with wild animals including feral cats.
2. Report aggressive wild animals and stray animals to local law enforcement.
3. Vaccinate dogs, cats and select livestock against rabies. Keep vaccinations current.
4. Obtain medical care promptly if bitten by an animal.
5. Report bites from domestic animals to county or city animal control and bites from wild animals to Environmental Health.

Rabies is fatal. Vaccination of pets is a primary prevention measure, providing a barrier to keep the rabies virus from passing from the wild animal population to domestic animals and people. State law requires vaccination of all dogs and it is strongly recommended that cats be vaccinated. If a domestic dog or cat with a current rabies vaccination status is exposed to a rabid animal, then the owner is directed to have the animal re-vaccinated (immunity needs to be high) and observe the animal’s behavior for a 30 day period. A pet that is not current in its rabies vaccinations and encounters a rabid animal may have to be euthanized, or isolated in double enclosure quarantine for six months at the owner’s expense.

Many of Humboldt County’s veterinarians offer low cost shot clinics, and residents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this service. Contact your veterinarian for additional information on upcoming clinics. Know your pet’s vaccination dates and keep them currently vaccinated.

Other important safety measures include avoiding contact with wild and stray animals, reporting animal bites to your county or municipal animal control officer, instructing children to not touch a wild or stray animal and report it to an adult, washing animal bites immediately with soap and water and seeking medical attention, bat proofing homes and outbuildings, and bringing pet foods indoors at night to keep skunks, raccoons, opossum, and fox from becoming uninvited visitors on your porch. Questions about rabies should be directed to the Department of Health and Human Services at (707) 445-6215, or call the county DEH toll-free at (800) 963-9241. Call one of these numbers if you have a bite from a skunk, fox, or a bat or have found a bat in your home. Help protect your family and community by being aware of the presence of rabies and knowing how to reduce the risk of exposure.