MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Health Department announced Friday that a second gray fox captured in Chautauqua County tested positive for rabies.

At least two individuals were bitten by the fox on Tuesday, July 4 in the Bemus Point area near Route 430. The County Health Department is following-up with the people involved to ensure that they receive proper medical attention. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officer responded to the situation and killed the fox on July 4. The fox was sent for testing and was determined to be positive for rabies.

This the second gray fox within a month’s time to have been found in the same vicinity and testing positive for rabies. Residents who believe they had physical contact with the gray fox that was killed in the Bemus Point area and have not seen a medical provider please call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4783 or report to the nearest emergency department.

As previously quoted by Jessica Wuerstle, Chautauqua County Director of Environmental Health, these incidents should serve as reminders to residents that animal rabies is a serious public health concern and continues to be present in Chautauqua County. According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 90% of rabies cases occur in wildlife. Pets and livestock can be protected from rabies by keeping rabies vaccines up-to-date.

Mammals infected with rabies may become aggressive and attack with no provocation, while others may appear tame or docile. Well-meaning animal lovers may be tempted to catch and help the animals. However, when people have physical contact with wild or feral animals they put themselves in danger. Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease when exposure is missed and untreated.