DOVER, Del.- A fox in Kent County that came into contact with a human has tested positive for rabies.
Delaware's Division of Public Health said the fox was found in the area of Still Road between Pony Track and Mahan Corner roads. The fox reportedly attacked a chicken on the victim's property and then bit the victim's leg. That person has begun treatment for rabies exposure.
Since Jan. 1, DPH has performed rabies tests on 18 animals, 12 of which were confirmed to be rabid. Those rabid animals include four foxes, three raccoons, two cats, one dog, one horse and one donkey. Tests were performed on five other animals, but were indeterminate, according to officials.
Additionally, DPH recently announced Delaware's first positive case of rabies in a human in nearly 80 years. A Felton woman died in August after contracting the disease, WBOC previously reported.
DPH says anyone who thinks they may have been bitten, scratched or come in contact with the fox in the Kent County area should immediately call their health care provider or the DPH Rabies Program at 302-744-4955.
Anyone who thinks their pet may have been bitten by the fox should call their private veterinarian or contact the Delaware Department of Agriculture at 302-698-4630 or rabies.hotline@state.de.us.