(Ithaca, N.Y., January 19, 2023) – Tompkins County Whole Health’s Environmental Health Division would like to thank all media outlets that published or broadcast our press release dated January 15, 2023, regarding a potentially rabid fox in the Fall Creek area, downtown Ithaca. The reports, along with the community’s help, allowed for quick resolution of this issue. Thanks are extended as well to the Tompkins County SPCA Animal Control and Ithaca City Police Department (IPD) for their swift responses.
IPD was able to locate the fox and resolve the threat of danger. Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) would like to extend additional thanks to IPD and local county and city officials for quickly spreading the word through a variety of communication mechanisms.
Testing performed by Wadsworth Laboratory confirmed the presence of the rabies virus in the fox. If you or your pets may have had contact with or have been bitten by this fox or any other wild animal, please contact the Tompkins County Environmental Health Division at (607) 274-6688.
TCWH would like to also thank the community for their active participation in yesterday’s Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic, where over 160 pets were vaccinated. The clinic was sponsored by Environmental Health and held at the Tompkins County SPCA. New York State law requires that all cats, dogs and ferrets have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Vaccinations must be kept current to protect your pets and family. Additional clinics will be held throughout the year; check website for updates.
Tompkins County Whole Health reminds everyone to:
- Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
- NYS law requires all cats, dogs and ferrets to have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age. Keep vaccinations current! NYS law also requires that dogs be licensed in the municipalities in which they reside.
- Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Health Department at 607-274-6688:
- All animal bites or scratches. If you are bitten by cat or dog, be sure to obtain owner’s contact information.
- Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
- All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person.
Further information can be found at: tompkinscountyny.gov/health/eh/rabies.
Tompkins County Whole Health (formerly the Tompkins County Health Department): envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TompkinsWholeHealth and on Twitter at @TCWholeHealth. Get Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text, sign up here.
Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org
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