Third rabid fox in two weeks found in Norfolk

NORFOLK

A third fox in two weeks has tested positive for rabies, officials said Thursday.

Animal control officers captured the animal in the 8500 block of O’Conner Crescent late Wednesday afternoon, said Agnes Flemming, environmental health manager for the Norfolk Department of Public Health.

The fox, which had been acting strangely, was euthanized, and on Thursday it tested positive for rabies, she said. Also on Wednesday, a police officer shot and killed a fox in the 8200 block of Andrew Lane after being charged by the animal.

Tests showed that the fox was rabid. Two people are being treated for rabies exposure, Flemming said.

In the first incident on June 21, a fox was killed in the 400 block of W. Ocean View Ave. That animal was found after an officer was attacked.

Amy Jeter, (757) 446-2730, amy.jeter@pilotonline.com