BELLEFONTE — An aggressive grey fox was recently reported to be on the 100 block of Hertzler Drive in Bellefonte.

The Pennsylvania State Game Commission were contacted regarding the animal, and once it was located and dispatched by authorities they were able to confirm that the animal had rabies.

Rabies is a disease that is usually transmitted in saliva through the bite of an infected animal, but it can also be transmitted by non-bite exposures. Infected saliva entering an open wound, eyes or the mouth will also result in transmission of the disease.

All mammals can potentially become infected with the rabies virus if they come into contact with it.

The Game Commission notes the incubation period of rabies is usually 1-3 months. This can, however, vary greatly from species to species.

Generally, 1-3 months is the amount of time it takes for the virus to move from the site of exposure — such as a bite or scratch — along the nerves to the brain. Once it reaches the brain, it will produce large quantities of the virus which will spread first to the salivary glands and then other tissues within the infected animal.

With “furious rabies,” infected animals may exhibit abnormal behavior such as excitability, apparent lack of fear, or aggression.

With “dumb rabies,” infected animals experience loss of coordination and paralysis, which leads to coma and death within 1 to 10 days of onset clinical signs.

Sometimes infected animals will appear normal as well, but the Game Commission says generally speaking, abnormal behavior is the most common sign of a rabies infection.

According to the Game Commission, prevention through vaccination has been very successful in domestic animals. It is important to make sure all pets are vaccinated against rabies and avoid any contact with wild animals such as bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks.

The Spring Township Police Department released a statement on Facebook with some of the following suggestions and information from the Pennsylvania Department of Health for anyone who may be in contact with the infected animal:

— If you have been bitten by the fox or had significant human exposure to the saliva or central nervous system fluid should contact the Centre County State Health Centre Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 4 p.m. at (814) 865-0932 or after hours at 1 (877) PA-HEALTH.

— Anyone with a pet who has been injured by this animal is urged to contact their veterinarian. Make sure that all pets that can be are vaccinated against rabies since other animals in the area may develop this disease.

— Touching or handling a potentially rabid animal, another animal or inanimate object that has had contact with a rabid animal does not constitute an exposure unless wet saliva or CNS tissue may have entered a fresh, open wound or had contact with a mucous membrane.

— Avoid contact with all wild or stray animals, especially bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks.

You can read more about rabies on the Game Commission website, www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/wildlife-health/wildlife-diseases/rabies.html