A fox that was euthanised after biting at least nine people on Capitol Hill had tested positive for rabies, officials have revealed.
The fox in question was captured by Capitol Police this week following several unprovoked attacks on the ground of the Capitol Building in Washington, DC, after a US congressman revealed he'd been bitten by the animal.
Now, officials have confirmed following tests that it was carrying the rabies virus.
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"The DC Public Health Lab has confirmed the fox that was captured yesterday tested positive for the rabies virus," the city's health department said in a statement. "DC Health is contacting all human victims who were bitten by the fox."
On Tuesday, Representative Ami Bera told reporters he'd been bitten on the leg by a fox, with the animal captured shortly afterwards.
Prior to the news that the fox had been euthanised, Rep. Bera tweeted that he was feeling well, adding: "despite the dustup, I hold no grudge or ill will against @thecapitolfox. Hoping the [fox] and its family are safely relocated and wishing it a happy and prosperous future."
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He later added that he was not certain whether the fox captured and put down on Tuesday was the same one which bit him earlier that day.
The fox had inspired a legion of social media memes, and even its very own parody twitter account, @thecapitolfox, however following its capture on Tuesday the decision was ultimately made by vets to put the animal down amid fears that it may have been carrying rabies.
Rabies is a virus that is spread through the saliva of infected animals. The deadly disease causes inflammation of the brain and nervous system, and once symptoms appear is almost 100 percent fatal, according the World Health Organisation. People who have been exposed to rabies but have not started to display symptoms can be treated by a post-bite vaccination.
The fox's kits (cubs) have also been captured, with officials saying they were 'working to determine next steps' for the offspring.
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Following the news of the fox's death there was an outpouring of grief on social media for the animal, which had become a bit of a local celebrity for government workers and political journalists on Capitol Hill. "Capitol Hill Fox, we hardly knew you," one NBC journalist tweeted, while another person shared a touching video tribute to the animal.
Members of the public who believe they may have encountered the fox have been asked to contact health officials.
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