Tests Confirm Rabid Fox In Arlington's Highland Park Neighborhood

ARLINGTON, VA — Tests on a sick fox that was captured in Arlington after coming into contact with a pet on Wednesday came back positive for rabies, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington said Friday.

Animal control received a call Wednesday afternoon about a sick fox in the 6200 block of Washington Boulevard in the Highland Park neighborhood of Arlington.

“The fox had neurological signs consistent with rabies, and was captured and removed by Animal Control after exposing a domestic pet,” AWLA said Friday. "The fox was tested and came back clinically positive for rabies."

In another case, Arlington animal control said it was recently provided video of a potentially sick fox in the Claremont neighborhood. No other sightings of a potentially sick fox have been reported in the Claremont neighborhood in the four days since the video was taken, AWLA said Friday.

Earlier in the week, a disoriented fox was reported in the Arlingwood neighborhood near the 4100 blocks of 41 Street N. and N. Randolph Street. Animal control officers captured the fox Tuesday morning. AWLA said the fox showed neurological signs consistent with rabies.

Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that people and animals can catch from the bite or scratch of infected animals. If anyone or their pet may have come into contact with any of these foxes, they should call Arlington County Animal Control at 703-931-9241 and immediately seek medical care.

Arlington animal control said residents should remain vigilant for potentially rabid wild animals and if they see any animal that appears sick, lethargic, disoriented, or aggressive to stay away from the animal and contact animal control.

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