An individual leaving a business south of Cleveland recently was attacked by a fox as the person approached his vehicle.
Sean Sullivan, White County Environmental Health manager, made the notification of the incident by email Tuesday. The incident occurred on Highway 129 South in the area of Truelove Road.
Sullivan said the fox was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab - Virology Section in Decatur, which notified White County Environmental Health Tuesday afternoon that the fox tested positive for rabies.
Sullivan said he could not speak specifically to the natures of the man's injuries, but he said the victim did seek medical attention at a hospital emergency room and was then referred to his private physician for treatment.
This is the second confirmed case of rabies in White County this year.
Positive alert signs will be posted in the area where the rabid fox was located.
Anyone who lives or works in that area and has concerns of possible rabid animal exposure should contact White County Environmental Health at (706) 348-7698 during normal business hours.
Animal owners are encouraged to vaccinate their domesticated pets for rabies.
