Rabid Fox Attacks Two Children In Dacula

DACULA, GA — A fox that attacked two children Tuesday in Dacula tested positive for rabies.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Gwinnett County Animal Welfare caught the fox after it attacked two children in the Dolostone Way/Austin Crossing area of Dacula. The fox tested positive for the rabies virus on Thursday.

Rabies can be transmitted to people and pets when bitten or scratched. When left untreated, rabies in humans is almost always fatal. Rabies symptoms in humans include fever, headache and weakness.

Gwinnett County requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated regularly for rabies, and the county’s animal-welfare department periodically offers free or discounted vaccinations.

If you think you’ve been exposed to rabies, go to an emergency room, then call the Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale County Health Departments and ask to speak to an epidemiologist. If you spot an animal behaving oddly that may have rabies, call Gwinnett County Animal Welfare at 770-339, 3200, extension 5576, or 770-513-5700 after hours.