Health officials urge pet vaccinations after rabid fox found in New Mexico
New Mexico health officials are urging pet owners to keep dogs and cats vaccinated after a fox in McKinley County tested positive for rabies.
The McKinley County fox is the state’s eighth confirmed animal rabies case of 2026, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
Organ Mountain News report
SANTA FE - New Mexico health officials are urging pet owners to keep dogs and cats vaccinated after a fox in McKinley County tested positive for rabies.
The fox is the eighth confirmed animal rabies case in New Mexico this year, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. The fox had no known interaction with humans and was euthanized, the department said.
“It’s important to prevent rabies, which is deadly, and state law requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies,” said Dr. Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for NMDOH. “Unvaccinated pets exposed to rabies must be euthanized or isolated for four months to prevent human exposure.”
Rabies is most often found in New Mexico wildlife such as foxes, skunks, bobcats and bats, according to NMDOH. The state confirmed 13 rabid animals in 2025 and 12 in 2024.
Bats are the animals most commonly found with rabies in New Mexico, but all mammals can become infected, health officials said.
Rabid wild animals may show no fear of people and may act aggressively. They may also be quiet and appear tame.
How to reduce rabies risk
Health officials said people should keep pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and make sure pets wear tags on their collars confirming vaccination status.
Pet owners should contact a veterinarian if a cat or dog has been bitten or scratched, especially by a wild animal, even if the wound appears superficial.
People should avoid wild or unfamiliar animals and should not feed, approach or touch wild animals, whether alive or dead. Health officials said parents should teach children not to handle wild animals and should keep a close eye on children around unfamiliar animals.
Anyone who is bitten or exposed to saliva from an animal should wash the affected area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention promptly, according to NMDOH.
People who have direct contact with a bat, wake up to find a bat in their room or cannot reliably say whether contact with a bat occurred should receive rabies vaccination, health officials said.
How to report concerns
People who see a sick wild animal or a wild animal acting abnormally should report it to their local animal control officer or the New Mexico Department of Wildlife at 888-248-6866.
Animal bites or exposures should be reported to local animal control. People can also call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SWNURSE, or 833-796-8773, or text questions to 66364.
More information about rabies is available through the New Mexico Department of Health.
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