Responding to a number of calls it has received from people concerned about foxes being seen out during the daytime, the Cayuga County Health Department said the animals are not necessarily infected with the rabies virus.

In a news release Friday, the health department said that although foxes are generally nocturnal, healthy foxes may be out during the day this time of year searching for food for their young litters that were born in the spring.

Their young are not able to provide food for themselves, the health department said, so the adults are “working overtime” to find the food necessary to satisfy their offspring and themselves.

The health department said that a fox captured June 13 on Farley's Point in the town of Springport tested positive for rabies, and that a fox acting aggressively was killed June 23 on Beechtree Road in Aurelius.

Foxes eat fruits, insects and small rodents. They are opportunists, and will take food from pet dishes, birdseed from feeders, or any easily accessible food source.

The health department reminds people that rabies has been present in Cayuga County since 1992 in raccoons, skunks, foxes and other mammals.

A fox infected with rabies may appear healthy looking but will often show signs of aggression and may be unafraid of people and dogs.

Any mammal encountered by people has the potential to be infected with rabies.

People who encounter a fox acting aggressively or one that approaches people or dogs or exhibits other unnatural behavior should contact the health department at 253-1405 or, after hours, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office at 253-1222.