Rabid Fox Found Near Stevens Field in Rome; Lee Raccoon Also Positive

A fox found Sunday, Nov. 8, near Stevens Field, West Thomas Street and West Embargo Street in Rome tested positive for rabies the next day, the Oneida County Health Department says, WKTV reported. The county believes the fox may have exposed a number of people.

Touched the fox, or think you might have? Call the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5064.

A raccoon in the town of Lee also tested positive after someone handled it when it was already dead. Three people are known to have been exposed to the two animals and are getting post-exposure shots.

Worth knowing:

• Rabies can pass through saliva and other body fluids even after an animal dies, so wear gloves before moving a dead animal.
• The state's Wadsworth Center lab confirmed the fox result on Monday, Nov. 9.

This follows a rabid raccoon in Vernon earlier this month. The county lists low-cost pet vaccination clinics at oneidacountyny.gov/rabies.