Bexar County officials report two new rabies-positive foxes and urge residents to take precautions as the advisory continues through Thanksgiving weekend.
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Bexar County’s ongoing rabies advisory will remain in place through the Thanksgiving holiday after two additional foxes tested positive for the virus last week, according to the Bexar County Public Health Department.
Health officials said the fourth and fifth rabid foxes reported this fall were picked up on November 20.
Both foxes were found within a 10-mile radius of the three other rabid foxes detected last month, bringing the total number of confirmed rabies cases in Bexar County this year to 22, according to the Public Health Department.
Officials said the first call came from the 3800 block of Mahogany Cove and the second from the 27000 block of Smithson Valley Road.
In both instances, the foxes were reported to be acting aggressively and displaying irregular behavior, health officials said.
Because of the uptick in cases, the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management is organizing a large proactive volunteer effort next week.
Volunteers will go door to door in affected areas to remind residents to check their pets’ rabies vaccination status, according to the Public Health Department.
Bexar County Animal Control is also urging residents to take extra precautions outdoors, especially during the long Thanksgiving weekend, and to avoid contact with wildlife or unfamiliar animals.
The Bexar County Public Health Department advises that anyone who encounters an animal behaving strangely should steer clear of the area and contact local authorities immediately.
Pet owners are encouraged to make sure their dogs and cats are current on rabies vaccinations. Anyone who believes their pet may have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, or anyone who has been bitten, should report it to their local rabies control authority.
Unincorporated Bexar County residents can report possible exposures by calling 210-335-9000 or emailing bitereport@bexar.org.
Bexar County is among the top four in the state for rabies cases this year, according to the map above from Texas Health and Human Services.