“Fox tests positive for rabies in Sierra County”
News release, New Mexico Department of Health
February 9, 2023
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health urges pet and livestock owners in Sierra County and surrounding counties to vaccinate their animals against rabies after an aggressively behaving fox this week bit a Sierra County resident and later tested positive for rabies.
State law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies, a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. Most rabies cases in New Mexico happen in wild animals like skunks, bats and foxes. Rabid animals may show no fear of people and be aggressive, or they may be quiet and can even seem friendly. Unvaccinated pets exposed to a rabid animal must either be euthanized or put into strict isolation for four months to prevent them from exposing people to rabies.
If you see a sick or dead wild animal, or a wild animal acting abnormally, report it to your local animal control authorities or the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 827-9376.
The Department of Health recommends the following to keep you and your family safe from rabies:
• Always keep pets on a leash. Pets should be up to date on rabies vaccinations and wearing current license tags on their collar. If your cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, especially by a wild animal, call your pet’s veterinarian even if the wound is superficial.
• Horses and other livestock should also be considered for rabies vaccination to protect them from rabid animals that may attack them.
• Stay away from wild or unfamiliar animals. Do not attempt to feed, approach, or touch wild animals (alive or dead). Teach this important message to your children and always keep a close eye on your kids.
• If you or someone you know are bitten by an animal, or come into contact with an animal’s saliva, wash the exposed site immediately with soap and water. Be sure to report the bite to local animal control and seek medical care as soon as possible.
• If you or your pets are bitten or otherwise exposed to the saliva of wild animals, seek medical care immediately and contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-0006.
• For more info about rabies see the New Mexico Department of Health website at: https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ideb/zdp/rab/.