Rabid fox alert issued after animal control officer attacks in Galax

GALAX, Va. The Mount Rogers Health District has issued a warning in the Galax area due to a fox that tested positive for rabies.

On Wednesday, a gray fox attacked an animal control officer in the 900-block West Stuart Drive in Galax.

In a Facebook message, officials said the fox was in an advanced disease state and would be contagious and active in the area for more than a week.

The fox recently fought with other animals indicated by hair in its teeth, thus creating additional disease storage dams that could become rabid in the coming months.

Health officials warn that rabies is deadly once the symptoms appear.

If anyone or anyone’s pets have been in contact with the gray fox, please contact the Galax Health Department at 276-236-6127.