Rabid fox found in Camden County

CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. – A resident in northern Camden County is undergoing preventive treatment after being exposed to a fox that was determined to have rabies, a disease spread by infected saliva that enters the body through a bite or broken skin.

The incident happened near Waverly and close to the Glynn County line. No animals in Glynn County have tested positive for rabies, health officials said.

All residents should be cautious of wild animals, especially ones that act strangely or are unusually aggressive.

To help prevent rabies:

• Avoid contact with animals you don't know.
  
• Get vaccinated if you work in a high-risk occupation.
• Make sure your pets receive the proper immunizations. Dogs and cats should get rabies vaccines by 4 months old, followed by a booster shot one year later and another one every one or three years, depending on the type of vaccine used.
• Do not handle, feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or by leaving pet food out overnight.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or a properly licensed animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children to never handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly. "Love your own, leave other animals alone" is a good principle for children to learn.
  

If an animal ever bites you, seek medical care immediately and contact Camden County Animal Control at 912-576-7395 and the Camden County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 912-729-6012.