Health officials urge residents to report interactions with potentially rabid animals

Residents are urged to report any interactions with potentially rabid animals, especially bites, to local health departments (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - In the wake of last week's fox attack on several city postal workers, public health officials are reminding residents to be aware of the risk of rabies exposure, a fatal disease transmitted through bites from infected mammals.

While human rabies deaths in the United States are rare, preventative treatment is highly successful and has significantly reduced the death rate.

Residents are urged to report any interactions with potentially rabid animals, especially bites, to local health departments for assessment and possible preventative treatment. Seek medical attention for bite wounds.

Four people had to be sent to the hospital after a fox attacked them inside and outside the Rochester Post Office on Oct. 5

The attack occurred after Fish and Game personnel received reports of a fox being spotted around the city chewing on vehicle tires.

The final call on the wayward fox came from the Post Office where a postal worker had been bitten outside, leading to a rush of employees trying to escape the fox by going back in the building.
Unfortunately, the fox followed them in through automatic doors.

The fox was ultimately caught and euthanized.
For more information or to report suspicious animals, contact the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services at (603) 271-4496 or 1 (800) 852-3345 x4496, a healthcare provider, or a veterinarian.

To report suspicious animals, reach out to NH Fish and Game at (603) 271-3421.