Tarrant County – WBAP/KLIF – Texas Department of State Health Services is warning residents of North Texas of two rabid foxes and one human bite victim, now receiving treatment to prevent the disease, for which there is no cure. The rabies-positive foxes were collected in Benbrook.
There is a possibility foxes and other wild animals may be affected; rabies is spread through bites and saliva. Health officials ask pet owners not to allow their pets to roam and ensure they are vaccinated against rabies. They ask North Texas residents to report animals that are acting strangely; friendly, tame, sick or unusual, to Benbrook Animal Control at 817-249-1610 or Benbrook Police. However, because of the threat rabies poses to both humans and other animals, people are asked to call health officials or local police to report animals acting strangely in these ways at any time they are seen.
A rabies exposure is defined as a animal bite that breaks the skin, or exposure of broken skin to saliva or cerebrospinal fluid.
State of Texas requires dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by the age of four months. Health officials are now asking livestock owners to also vaccinate wolf-dog hybrids and domestic ferrets, or any livestock that may have contact with humans.
The two rabid-positive foxes were collected the last week of April and second week of May. Tarrant County health officials say one human who received possible exposure to rabies is now receiving preventative treatment.
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