Update: Confirmed Rabid Fox in Stone Quarry/Elmira Road Area

Published on July 16, 2026

Update to previous Press Release issued on July 10, 2026:

(ITHACA, NY, July 16, 2026) – Tompkins County Whole Health (TCHW) is reporting a lab-confirmed rabid fox captured in the Stone Quarry/Elmira Road area.

On July 10, a fox was reported to have charged and bit a person and was acting erratically. The rabid fox that was captured and tested, is believed to be the same fox previously reported. The fox was sent for Rabies testing at the State Lab and found to be positive for the Rabies virus on Thursday, July 16.

If you, your pets, or someone you know had contact with a fox in this area, please call TCWH’s Environmental Health Division (EH) at 607-274-6688 and ask to speak with someone on the Rabies team. Staff are on-call to respond to messages received by the answering service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Rabies virus is a serious, potentially fatal disease. A small number of rabid animals are confirmed in Tompkins County every year.

TCWH reminds everyone to:

1. Avoid contact with any unfamiliar cats or dogs and any wild animals.
2. All cats, dogs and ferrets must have initial rabies vaccinations administered no later than four months of age.  Keep vaccinations current! Check back to our website for our next round of free rabies vaccination clinics to be held in September. For other free or low-cost rabies vaccine programs, contact the local chapter of the Street Dog Coalition or the Cornell Healthy Pet Clinic held at Ithaca’s Southside Community Center (305 S. Plain St., Ithaca). 
3. Report the following incidents to the Tompkins County Environmental Health at 607 274-6688:
   • All animal bites or scratches.
   • Any human or pet contact with saliva or other potentially infectious material (brain tissue, spinal tissue, or cerebro-spinal fluid) of wild animals or any animal suspected of having rabies.
   • All bat bites, scratches, or any mere skin contact with a bat, or a bat in a room with a child, or sleeping or impaired person, or if you are not sure if contact has occurred. 

Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.   

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