An “aggressive” fox that bit a congressman and at least eight other people outside the US Capitol has tested positive for rabies.
Police managed to apprehend the fox on Tuesday after several reports of attacks around Senate office buildings in Washington DC.
It was humanely euthanized the following day so officials could undertake a rabies test, city health officials said.
The test has since come back positive.
Officials also found and captured the fox’s babies. Pic: AP
All those who were bitten by the female fox are being contacted by health officials.
Officials also found and captured the fox’s babies and are “working to determine next steps”.
Congressman Ami Bera said he was walking past the Russell Senate office building on Monday when he felt “something lunge at the back of my leg”, adding the attack was “unprovoked”.
The fox had attacked a congressman and eight other people. Pic: AP
“Someone was like ‘hey a fox is attacking that guy,'” he said.
“Capitol police came out and then the fox ran away. It was the most bizarre day in Congress.”
Mr Bera, who is a doctor, then got a rabies jab as a precaution
“I expect to get attacked if I go on Fox News, I don’t expect to get attacked by a fox,” he said.
Rabies is typically fatal if left untreated and animal control officials said they would place leaflets around the US Capitol, encouraging people who may have been exposed to seek medical assistance.