Orange County’s twelfth confirmed case of rabies this year involves a fox said to have attacked two people in Hillsborough.

A man reported on Wednesday  that a fox grabbed his leg but he killed the animal before it could break the skin. However, a nearby resident was not so lucky. A day earlier someone reportedly was attacked and bitten by an aggressive fox that fled the area. Animal Services officials believe the same fox was responsible for both attacks.

The bite victim was treated at the emergency room and is receiving post-exposure treatment. The man who killed the fox has been referred to a community health nurse to assess his risk of exposure.

This is the first case this year involving a fox.

With this most recent report, the county’s total for the past six months surpasses all reported cases from last year.

Bob Marotto, Director of Animal Services, says the rate at which positive cases are being reported indicates that rabies is on the rise. He emphasizes the importance of consistently taking precautionary measures and reporting any incidents to Animal Services.

The next Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic will take place on Saturday, June 14, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Animal Services Center in Chapel Hill.

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