Rabid fox confirmed in Frankford, DE

[DelawareLiz]

Yes, I seem to see fox anywhere anymore. I don't remember seeing them very often at all when I was growing up in Oak Orchard--and we lived in a secluded wooded area. Now, I live in densely populated suburbia and see them all the time. Of course, we do live near wetlands, woods, and farms....but still. I'm just glad I haven't encountered a rabid one yet!

[NJBoy3]

Bats concern me. I like to walk in the evening and I had a few act aggressively last year.

[longneckone]

Originally Posted by rdlr

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Fox seem to more prevalent these days, don't they? Either that, or they aren't afraid of venturing out into residential areas.

Maybe because a lot of their habitat is turning into nice new developments????

[NJBoy3]

And you probably don't have people hunting them.

[doctorjef]

Because we are trekking in Nepal this autumn, we will be having the 3 injection series of human rabies preventative vaccine later this summer. This is generally a good measure for spelunkers here in the US to take, and also for some people who work in occupations with enhanced risk of rabies exposure. I wonder if it may not be a good idea for people who spend a good deal of time outdoors in areas where rabies is occurring. Human rabies vaccination is more routinely done in some countries where rabies is endemic. After the 3 injections given over a period of a month, most people will develop extended resistance to rabies infection, although booster injections are still considered necessary after a suspect animal bite -- however, having had the preventative series should give one a much greater sense of security in the event of contact with a rabid animal (saliva can still potentially transmit infection even if there is no actual bite). After the initial series, a single booster injection can also be given a year later, which has been shown to confer immunity in most people for at least ten years. Occasional blood tests can also be done to confirm the presence of adequate rabies antibodies to confer protection. I'm actually looking forward to getting the series, not just for our upcoming trip but also so I won't have to worry about the risk of infection here in North America. Something to think about if your outdoor pursuits may place you at enhanced risk.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by longneckone

Maybe because a lot of their habitat is turning into nice new developments????

I think you're right, LN! They're probably thinking ........
what happened to our wide open spaces ?

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

I'm actually looking forward to getting the series, not just for our upcoming trip but also so I won't have to worry about the risk of infection here in North America. Something to think about if your outdoor pursuits may place you at enhanced risk.

I had an exposure to a potentially rabid animal. Rather than take chances, I chose the post-exposure prophylactic series. It was not inexpensive. The human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) was by far the most expensive component but you don't need that if you're getting the vaccine as a pre-exposure preventative measure.

I mention this because people who work with wild animal populations such as feral cat colonies might want to consider doing the pre-exposure series. To me, the peace of mind was worth the expense.

[DelawareLiz]

I agree that wild animal habitat being built upon and fewer people hunting them is playing a role in more human and rabid animal encounters. I have seen many new developments pop up where it was once wooded land here in Ocean View (Bay Forest and Toll Brothers comes to mind)--and it was already very developed in my area when we moved here thirteen years ago. It is now houses on top of houses.

Doctorjef--I think that your rabies preventative vaccine is a great idea, not only for your upcoming trip but also for prevention here in the US. It also may be wise for other people in certain high risk occupations to do so as well....most definitely.

[longneckone]

I had no idea there was a preventative vaccine for rabies.

[doctorjef]

You can even get the series administered at Walgreens, although they have to order it, as they don't normally keep it in stock.