WILLIAMSBURG — The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts alerted Williamsburg and James City County residents Thursday that a red fox involved in an incident in the 100 block of Reflection Drive, in Mirror Lake Estates, has tested positive for the rabies virus.
Anyone with information regarding any exposure to this animal, such as a bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, mouth, should contact the Peninsula Health District Environmental Health Office at 757-594-7340.
Exposures also include direct contact between a pet and the rabid animal.
After hours, residents should contact local Animal Control:
- Hampton 757-727-6111
- Newport News/Poquoson 757-595-7387
- Williamsburg/JCC 757-565-0370 (daytime); 757-253-1800 (evenings, weekends, holidays)
- York County 757-890-3601
The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts warns that rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease carried by mammals and has been in the wild animal population on the Peninsula since the mid 1980s.
The local office of Environmental Health Services will be contacting the immediate neighbors as well as any civic or homeowner’s association that serves the community, it said.
The district reminds all citizens to follow these three important rabies prevention guidelines:
- Vaccinate your pets.
- Report all exposures to animals — usually bites and scratches — to your doctor and the local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance — don’t feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.
