Alabama woman bitten by a rabid fox recently when he was loading groceries from his car, according to local reports.
The Atmore woman, whose name has not been released, was reportedly holding a loaf of bread when “out of nowhere, she was attacked and bitten by a fox,” according to a press release from the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH).
The woman, described as “old,” received post-exposure treatment to prevent it rabies infection.
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The fox was taken to the Alabama Department of Clinical Laboratory Public Health Bureau, where it was tested and confirmed positive for rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal if not treated before symptoms appear, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
An Alabama woman was recently bitten by a rabid fox (not pictured), according to local reports. (iStock)
It is usually spread to people or animals through the bite or scratch of an infected animal.
“Although rabies has primarily been found in wild animals since the vaccination of domestic animals began more than 70 years ago, it continues to be a public health threat,” said Dr. Dee W. Jones, an Alabama public health veterinarian, in the release.
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“Although wildlife attacks like this are not common, it highlights the risk rabies continues to pose and hopefully reminds people to be aware of the risk and continue to pet vaccination.”
A woman (not pictured) was unloading groceries from a car when she was bitten. (iStock)
Owners of dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older are required to keep their pets up-to-date on rabies vaccinations in the state of Alabama.
“Vaccination of animals reduces the risk of rabies infection in case of exposure; therefore, vaccination protects animalsas well as owners and caretakers,” the release said.
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The health department also urges people not to allow pets, dispose of food scraps properly, control food or keep wild animals as pets, avoid animals that behave strangely, and keep children away from wild animals or wild animals.
“Although wildlife attacks like this are not common, it highlights the risk rabies continues to pose and hopefully reminds people to be aware of the risk and continue to vaccinate their animals,” the veterinarian said. (iStock)
Anyone who has been bitten by an animal or has rabies should contact their doctor and the health department.
About 60,000 Americans receive medical treatment after potential exposure to rabies each year, according to the CDC.
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Dr. Marc Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and Fox News medical contributor, spoke to Fox News Digital about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
“Rabies treatment can be found in the emergency room, because there is not enough demand to keep the shot in every doctor’s office or urgent care clinic,” he said.
“Treatment includes a series of vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin (a drug made from antibodies against the rabies virus),” the doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“Treatment includes a series of vaccines and rabies immunoglobulin (a drug made from antibodies against the rabies virus).”
Effective preventative treatments are nearly 100% successful when done correctly, Siegel said.
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“On the contrary, if the rabies infection continues, it is almost 100% fatal,” he said.
Rabies prevention treatments can be expensive, however, Siegel noted — in Washington, DC, the first treatment alone reportedly cost some patients more than $15,000.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Alabama Department of Public Health for comment.
