A person and their pet dog were bitten by a rabid gray fox last week in a backyard on Jeremy Blaine Court, near Interstate 15 and Silverado Ranch Boulevard, according to Clark County spokeswoman Jennifer Cooper. The fox tested positive for rabies and was euthanized for testing.
The adult victim is receiving post-exposure prophylaxis from a medical professional, while the dog, which was current on vaccinations, will be monitored for 45 days. Cooper said no additional bites have been reported and no other people or pets are showing signs of illness.
The Southern Nevada Health District said human rabies exposures are uncommon in Clark County and human cases are extremely rare nationwide. Post-exposure treatment is highly effective when administered promptly after exposure.
State Veterinarian Peter Rolfe of the Nevada Department of Agriculture said rabies can infect any warm-blooded mammal but is not common. In 2026, the department tested 123 bats with 14 positive results, but the recent fox was the only other mammal detection.
Rolfe advised residents to keep pets vaccinated and maintain distance from wildlife acting abnormally or appearing ill. Neighborhood residents said they received homeowners association notifications about the incident.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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