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PAULATUK - Residents of Paulatuk have been on the look out for an unusually high number of rabid foxes approaching people and pets in the community.

Anne Thrasher said a fox approached her eight-year-old daughter as she was walking out to catch the school bus.

Rabid foxes are roaming around Paulatuk and at least one captured fox has tested positive so far. Residents are urged to keep their animals tied up or indoors. - NNSL file photo photo

“I looked out in the yard expecting it to be clear and I had to run out because there was a cross fox running after her,” she said.

Thrasher said the fox came within 20 feet of her daughter. Thrasher managed to scare the fox away by yelling and running towards it.

She knew of at least one attack on a dog by a fox in the community.

“There was instance where a fox had attacked a young pup in the porch,” she said.

Environment and Natural Resources officer Ian Ellsworth said so far only one fox has tested positive for rabies. He said it is not unusual for foxes to come into communities this time of year and he warned people to be on the lookout for the animals.

Ellsworth said rabies is a very unpredictable disease. It can make normally tame animals fearful, and shy animals bold depending on the strain and onset of the disease.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system in mammals. Humans and pets are susceptible to the disease, which is spread by animal bites.

Symptoms include erratic behaviour in animals, foaming at the mouth, and tremors.

Animals can carry the disease without exhibiting any symptoms. Anyone bit by a wild animal should seek immediate medical attention.

Once infected a human be treated or face death. Symptoms in humans are wide ranging include paralysis, anxiety, insomnia, agitation and an inability to swallow. It can take weeks from first infection for these symptoms to show. Early and aggressive treatment can usually cure the disease in humans.

Dogs and cats should be vaccinated to protect against rabies. Residents in remote communities can contact veterinarians to have the vaccine sent up.

Ellsworth said residents of all Delta communities should take precautions to keep their animals tied up or indoors to prevent the spread of infection.

He also said people should never attempt to feed wild animals.