‘What other animals could it have possibly attacked?’: Rabid fox attacks 3 people in NC town

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (WGHP) — Forsyth County Department of Public Health officials report a rabid fox attacked three people on Thursday night.

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Officials say three adults were attacked between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. The attacks happened near the Kerner Mill Greenway along Oakhurst Street.

Search for Fox

Officials say an anonymous call reported an aggressive fox on the greenway. The person who made the call was not attacked. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division searched that afternoon.

Officials say reports of the attacks came in later that night. Forsyth County Animal Services was notified. The attacks were then reported to the county department of public health.

The county department of public health uses two teams to conduct a neighborhood canvas for the animal on Monday afternoon.

Results from the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed that the fox tested positive for rabies.

The exposed adults received post-exposure prophylaxis. They were advised to complete the treatment regimen. 

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Nelson Einhartt and his 11-year-old dog Angel walk the trail every day. He said he saw the search unfold.

Neighbors Speak Out

“Two officers from the sheriff’s department … were out with a pole with a loop and a tranquilizer gun,” Einhartt said. “I asked them, ‘What animal are you looking for?’ … They said, ‘The fox.’”

Charly and Raysean Benbury take their two sons on the trail to ride their bikes often. They were concerned after hearing that a rabid animal was close to the many homes in the area.

“What other animals could it have possibly attacked before it got there?” Raysean said. “With all the homes being around and domesticated pets and things like that, it’s a little concerning.”

County officials want anyone who came in contact with a fox between May 7 and May 14 to call their primary care provider and the county department of public health. Officials can be reached at (336) 830-1069 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call (336) 409-0357 after hours.

Pet owners whose pets have come in physical contact with a fox are urged to call their veterinarian and the county animal services at (336) 727-2112.

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