Rabid fox found on Wellesley Township farm

WELLESLEY TOWNSHIP — A fox found on a farm in the Wallenstein area tested positive for rabies this week.

“It just reminds us rabies is in the area. It’s in the wildlife,” said Aldo Franco, manager of health protection and investigation for Region of Waterloo Public Health. Wallenstein is about 25 minutes north of Kitchener.

This is the region’s first case of rabies found in a fox in several years, and Franco couldn’t remember the last case. Only the odd bat with rabies has been reported in recent years.

Franco said the single fox case is not too concerning, yet, but people should be cautious considering the potential risk.

“It’s just a reminder to make sure the public is vigilant, especially in the rural area,” he said. “It is around and we have to be aware.”

Franco said the owner of the Wellesley Township farm found the fox bothering the barn cats.

“The owner was able to kill the fox without coming into contact with it,” he said.

Results from the rabies test came back late on Thursday. Public health is investigating if there was any potential human exposure, while the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is following up to confirm no other animals were exposed.

There is no livestock on the farm, Franco said.

Public health urges people to take precautions to protect their family and pets from rabies.

Teach children to stay away from wild animals, dogs and cats they don’t know or animals acting strangely.

Keep pets up-to-date with the rabies vaccination. In Ontario, all cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies.

Keep pets away from wildlife. Don’t let pets roam free in the neighbourhood and keep them indoors at night.

Don’t feed, transport or relocate wildlife.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the area thoroughly with soapy water, seek medical advice immediately, and then contact public health at 519-575-4400. For more information regionofwaterloo.ca/rabies.