At Least Two People Bitten by Rabid Fox

A fox that bit at least two people and had direct contact with a dog in the St. James area Wednesday has tested positive for rabies.

This is the in town this year.

Between 6:15 and 7:30 p.m., animal control officers received several calls from residents in the St. James neighborhood, directly north of the , according to police records. One person reported they had been bitten by a fox, according to a release sent by Animal Control Officer David Yoho.

At 8:46 p.m., a gray fox bit another person outside the  on Brightmeadow Boulevard. The animal was located on the street and was shot by Enfield police officers and animal control officers, Yoho said.

The fox was taken to the State Lab in Hartford for testing, and Enfield Animal Control was notified Thursday that the animal tested positive for rabies, Yoho said.

Yoho asks anyone who made have had contact with the animal to notify animal control, the health department and their personal physician.

Clinical signs of rabies in animals include fever, loss of appetite, excessive irritability, unusual vocalization, change in behavior, restlessness, jumping at noises, trouble walking, excess salivation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, stupors or unprovoked aggression.

Enfield Animal Control reminds all residents it is state law to vaccinate your dog(s) and cat(s). If your animal is not vaccinated or the vaccination has expired, you should contact your veterinarian. If you have any questions in regards to rabies, you can contact your local health department, animal control office, or your veterinarian.