A fox has been confirmed to have rabies after biting a home inspector off Garden Court in Fayetteville. The incident occurred during an inspection of the crawl space under the home. Animal services captured, euthanized, and tested the fox’s remains at the N.C. State Public Health Lab, where it was found positive for rabies.
This is the second case of confirmed rabies in Cumberland County within the last two months. There have been no reported links between these cases and recent cases in other parts of the county or the Triangle region. However, Cumberland County Animal Services is urging all pet owners to check their pets’ vaccination status against rabies.
Experts say that wild animals often display unusual behavior before showing signs of rabies, such as aggression, loss of fear towards humans, or erratic movements like walking in circles. Rabid animals may also drool, have difficulty swallowing or eating, and eventually succumb to the disease within a week.
Residents are advised to follow these tips to prevent encounters with wild animals:
– Make loud noises and wave arms to scare away suspicious wildlife
– Do not approach unknown animals
– Ensure pets have current rabies vaccinations
– Keep outdoor pets indoors until they receive booster shots
– Avoid feeding stray or unknown animals
– Store food and trash securely
By following these guidelines, residents can reduce the risk of encountering wild animals with rabies.
Source: https://www.wral.com/news/local/cumberland-county-rabies-case-fox-bite-fayetteville-june-2025