A Chatham County resident suffered a bite from a fox on Tuesday — with the animal later testing positive for rabies, according to county officials.

A release from the sheriff’s office on Thursday detailed the Chatham County Animal Resources and Public Health Department’s response to the incident, where a resident in the area of U.S. 64 near Pittsboro called for help after “being bitten on the leg by a fox that had hidden under her vehicle.”

Once animal control officers arrived to the scene, they located the fox, captured it, and euthanized it for safety before submitting it to the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health for testing. A positive rabies test returned to Chatham County Animal Resources on Wednesday, the county’s fourth reported in 2025.

The bite victim was ultimately released after being treated at a local hospital.

“Encounters like this are rare,” Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said in Thursday’s release, “but they remind us why rabies prevention is so important. We want residents to be aware, stay cautious around wildlife, and make sure pets are current on their rabies vaccinations. Taking those steps helps protect both people and animals.”

The rabies virus can spread to both people and pets through bites, scratches or secondary saliva exposure. The disease can be fatal, worsening from flu-like symptoms over the course of weeks to create confusion, hallucinations and other effects on the brain. But the illness is preventable with vaccines for pets — with North Carolina law requiring pet dogs, cats and ferrets older than four months to have current and valid rabies vaccination at all times. If bitten, humans can be treated quickly too.

“Rabies is a deadly disease if medical treatment does not start before the first symptoms appear,” Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek said Thursday. “If you think you may have been exposed, seek medical care right away at the emergency department.”

County officials encouraged anyone who may have come into contact with a fox or other wild animal to promptly contact Chatham County Animal Resources at 919-542-7203 or the Chatham County Public Health Department at 919-742-5641 after the incidents.

 

Featured photo by Dmitry Demidov.

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