Mendocino County Public Health advises caution after fox tests positive for rabies

MENDOCINO CO., 12/21/24 — In late November 2024, a wild fox exhibiting unusual behavior was captured south of Little River on the Mendocino Coast and tested for rabies. Laboratory results verified that the fox was infected with the rabies virus.

Rabies is a viral disease that can be spread from the bite of a rabid animal or from contact with the animal’s saliva. Only prompt post-exposure vaccination can prevent the disease. Without treatment, the disease is fatal.