Two people – one in Massachusetts and one in Alabama — are receiving treatments to prevent rabies infection after being attacked by rabid foxes.

According to al.com, a fox repeatedly attacked and bit a hunter’s shoes in Lowndes County, Alabama. The hunter was scratched by the fox during the attack. The fox was captured and sent to the Alabama Department of Public Health laboratory where it tested positive for rabies.

The hunter began a series of post-exposure prophylaxis treatment to prevent rabies infection.

“This is a good reminder that as the warmer months get underway to remember to vaccinate your animals and to report any strange-acting wildlife,” said Dr. Dee W. Jones, the State Public Health veterinarian.

“Since foxes are communal animals, which can increase the likelihood of transmission, it is possible that additional foxes within this geographical proximity may be infected,” Jones said.

Jones says more animal movement in the spring seems to result in an increase in positive rabid animal cases. He said the fox is undergoing additional testing to determine the strain of rabies. He said it will likely be the raccoon strain, the primary reservoir of rabies in terrestrial animals in Alabama, including this area of Lowndes County.

In Dedham, Massachusetts, a rabid fox attacked a 9-year-old boy as he was playing basketball.

According to boston25news.com, Patrick Morrison was shooting hoops in his driveway when the fox chased and attacked him.

“We made eye contact,” he said. “I stumbled onto my front lawn. Then I ran across the street, and then it was still after.”

Patrick said the fox bit him several times and kept chasing him.

He added, “It hurt really bad.”

Neighbors scared the fox into the woods and Patrick rushed inside his home where he showed his family his injuries.

Patrick’s family took him to the hospital, where he began treatment for rabies exposure.

According to Dedham Animal Control, the same fox also attacked two dogs in the area.

The fox was captured and tested positive for rabies.