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YOLO COUNTY—

Yolo County authorities are asking residents to be on alert after a rabid fox attacked two horses.

The fox, said to be a juvenile, was caught Friday after it had attacked the horses near Putah Creek Road and the Bridge at Railroad in Winters. It was caught on the Solano County side of Putah Creek.

A test revealed that the fox was infected with rabies.

Wildlife officials believe that the fox had been on its own since July or August, tending the notion that this case of rabies may be isolated. The fox may have been infected due to an encounter with a bat or skunk, officials note.

Still, due to the positive test, Yolo County Animal Services advises that people living and working in the area to take extra precautions, including: ensuring that all pet dogs and cats have had their rabies vaccinations, keeping pets on a leash, staying away from sick or injured animals and reporting all animal bites.

In 2009, there were 227 reported cases of humans infected with rabies, according to the CDC.