Less than a month after a woman was injured by a rabid raccoon, police responded to reports of a fox “acting abnormally” in the same area: the South Run/Burke Lake Trail near the South Run RECenter.

The raccoon incident occurred June 10 while the fox was reported on July 1, according to a July 3 announcement from Fairfax County Police.

A young fox reportedly ran towards a dog and its owner in a wooded area close to the trail. The owner fell and lost his hat, which distracted the fox long enough for the man and dog to get away from the area.

Animal control officers searched the area afterwards and found a fox that was “vocalizing and showing clear signs of rabies.” After the fox was put down, lab tests confirmed the animal had the virus, police said, but may or may not have been the fox that was initially reported.

Police have asked that anyone who may have had contact with a fox in this area contact Bryant Bullock, Environmental Health, 571-274-2296.

Information from the county about the rabies virus, tips for preventing exposure and what to do if bitten by an animal that may have rabies is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/rabies/.