Fox Rabies, north eastern Italy, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia area

... the border close to Slovenia & Austria has yielded a rabid fox, according to reports from the national reference laboratory in Italy.

.... a person hiking in the forested area was attacked by the fox. Although uncommon to find rabies in this part of Italy, the last reported case was 1992. Presently, Italy has been determined to be rabies free since 1995.

.... authorities believe the rabid fox entered the forested alpine area from either Slovenia or Austria.

..... control measures, i.e., oral rabies vaccine for the areas foxes, restriction of the movement of dogs, and compulsory vaccination of domestic animals in the area who graze the forested regions are being implemented.

...... submitted by Walter M Woolf, V.M.D. .. principal owner, & managing director, Air Animal Pet Movers .. www.airanimal.com