The Ocean County Health Department says the fox responsible for attacking at least three people in Jackson over the weekend has tested positive for rabies.

The fox was captured and killed by the family of one of the four-year-old victims. The rabid fox attacked two four-year-old girls and a man.

The 17-year-old older brother of the last victim killed the animal with his bare hands. All victims immediately started rabies shots.

According to the health department, only two animals tested positive for rabies in Ocean County in 2020, and both were raccoons. 

The health department urges people to animal proof their homes -- keep garbage secure and tight and most importantly, if you see an animal acting strange especially during the day, leave it alone. Don't touch it, don't try to feed it, call police or animal control. 

Rabies infections in humans are extremely rare, according to the health department. There are only one to three documented cases in the United States per year.