FRANKFORD — Delaware’s Division of Public Health on Friday issued an advisory after a positive case of rabies was determined in a fox in a rural area near town.

The report was issued in particular to residents of or visitors to the Burbage and Jones roads vicinities.

The fox did not have any known contact with humans; however, there were reports of the fox attacking stray cats, DPH said. If the attacked cats develop rabies, they will become a health threat, especially to anyone who feeds them.

The fox was tested for rabies and the results came back positive Thursday.

Anyone in the area who thinks a fox may have bitten his or her pet should call a veterinarian to have it examined and treated, and the exposure should be reported to the state Department of Agriculture.

While rabies is preventable, anyone who thinks they were bitten or scratched by or who encountered a fox or feral cat in this area should contact a health care provider or call DPH 24/7 at 302-744-4995.

DPH only announces rabies cases for which it is possible the animal had unknown contacts with additional humans or pets.

Since Jan. 1, the division has performed rabies tests on 53 animals, three of which — one raccoon and two foxes — were rabid.

In 2021, DPH performed rabies tests on 193 animals, 19 of which were rabid. These numbers differ from previous reports after a data review.

For information, visit here or call 866-972-9705 or 302-744-4995.