Rabies Advisory Issued for Walton County After Fox Tests Positive
The Florida Department of Health in Walton County has issued a rabies advisory after a fox killed in DeFuniak Springs on June 17 tested positive for the disease, prompting health officials to warn residents across the county — including Freeport — to stay vigilant.
The advisory, confirmed by DOH-Walton on June 24, follows laboratory testing of the animal, which was collected near DeFuniak Springs. Health officials say the positive test result means rabies may be present in other wildlife in the surrounding area, and they are urging residents to avoid contact with stray or wild animals and to ensure their pets are current on rabies vaccinations.
Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is nearly 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear. The virus spreads through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly raccoons, bats, and foxes in Florida. A bite or scratch from an infected animal can transmit the disease to humans and unvaccinated pets. DOH-Walton’s rabies surveillance page notes that raccoons and bats are the primary wildlife carriers in the state, but foxes have been a recurring concern in Walton County — a 2018 rabies alert covered territory east of Freeport, and a 2024 alert followed an 84-year-old woman being attacked by a rabid fox in north Walton.
For Freeport residents, the advisory is a reminder that the city sits within Walton County’s broader wildlife corridor. Freeport’s rural edges — particularly along State Highway 20 and the forested stretches near the Choctawhatchee Bay — are home to raccoons, foxes, and other wildlife that can carry the virus. Pet owners in Freeport should verify vaccination records with their veterinarians, and anyone who encounters a wild animal behaving aggressively or appearing disoriented should contact Walton County Animal Control or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission immediately.
DOH-Walton recommends that residents keep pets indoors or supervised, secure trash bins to avoid attracting wildlife, and report any animal bites or exposures to the health department right away. Post-exposure prophylaxis shots are effective if administered promptly after a potential exposure, but delaying treatment can be life-threatening. The advisory remains in effect for 60 days from the date of the confirmed case, covering all of Walton County.
Originally reported by MyPanhandle (WMBB) — https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-news/rabies-alert-in-defuniak-springs-after-fox-tests-positive/
