Rabid Animals Found in Wayne, Hatboro

In the last several days, two wild animals in the Philadelphia area have tested positive for rabies.

An injured fox found Monday in Wayne in the area of the 400 block of E. Lancaster Ave. tested positive, according to the Department of Health. ()

And a skunk found on the 600 block of S. York Rd. in Hatboro, Montgomery County, tested positive for the disease on Thursday. ()

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say you can’t tell a rabid animal just by looking at it. The indication it might be rabid comes from unusual behavior, which could be any number of things, from being overly aggressive to acting tame. The only well to tell for certain is to have the animal tested.

Anyone who may have come into contact with a potentially rabid animal should reach out to the Pennsylvania Department of Health so that the department can help determine the extent of exposure and whether there is a need for rabies vaccination.

Exposure includes having been bitten, scratched, or had saliva, nervous system fluid or tissue from an animal enter a person’s open wound or mucous membranes such as eyes, nose or mouth. Under these circumstances, individuals should seek immediate medical attention.