A red fox. 

By Zak Failla From Daily Voice

Alexandria health officials are urging residents to be on alert after a fox in the Rosemont neighborhood tested positive for rabies following contact with a dog and a person, authorities announced.

The Alexandria Health Department said the fox came into contact with a dog and a person near a home in the Rosemont area on Sunday, Nov. 9. 

The fox is dead, but testing confirmed it had rabies, officials said.

Health officials said they are working with the exposed person and the owner of the exposed dog “on safe next steps,” but warned there is an increased risk of rabies exposures in the community.

Residents who see animals acting strangely or showing signs of rabies are asked to call Alexandria Animal Control at 703-746-4444. 

Anyone concerned about a possible exposure should call the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4910 during normal business hours.

Officials urged residents not to feed or approach wild, stray, or feral animals. They also reminded pet owners to make sure their dogs and cats are vaccinated and said dogs must remain on leash in all public areas and parks.

Rabies is a preventable but deadly viral disease spread through saliva when an infected animal bites or scratches a person or another animal, according to health officials.

Symptoms in animals can include unexpected aggression, extreme drooling or foaming at the mouth, and moving “as if drunk” or appearing unusually sluggish.