LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Lincoln Animal Control reported Thursday that a fox tested positive for rabies, marking the first time the disease has been confirmed in a fox in the city.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said the fox was injured after coming into contact with a human dog, after which animal control was called and the injured fox was taken into custody after it began showing signs of illness.
“We have a lot of foxes and other types of wildlife in the area so coming into contact with them is more common. This situation is a reminder to make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies,” Animal Control Manager Dennis Bolwitt said. “The rabies vaccine is the best prevention for pets who encounter wildlife that may be carrying the disease.”
So far in 2024, three rabies cases involving two bats and one fox have been reported in Lancaster County. In 2023, there have been seven rabies cases involving bats in the county.
According to the health department, rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and can be spread through the bite of an infected animal or when a rabid animal’s saliva comes into contact with an open wound or a person’s eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies can be prevented in pets by vaccination, and in people if treatment is started promptly.
The health department encourages residents to take the following actions to help prevent rabies:
- Rabies vaccinations are required by city ordinance. In the City of Lincoln, dogs and cats over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies.
- If your pet has been bitten by a wild animal or exposed to a bat, seek veterinary care immediately.
- For assistance with removing stray, injured or sick animals in your neighborhood, call Lincoln Animal Control at 402-441-7900.
- Never adopt or bring home a wild animal. Do not try to nurse a sick wild animal back to health. Call animal control for assistance.
- Never touch any unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- If you think you may have been in contact with a rabid animal, contact your health care provider or the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Program at 402-441-8053.
Lincoln Animal Control warns that if you have a fox in your neighborhood, don’t feed them and keep food away from the wildlife. Additionally, foxes may chase you to try to scare you away from your children. If this happens, stay calm. Blow a whistle, honk an air horn, or raise your hands and yell. Keep making noise until the fox goes away.
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