Contact: Michelle Peregoy (804) 864-7963
Overview:
Rabies is caused by a virus that affects warm-blooded animals. The virus, spread by an infected animal’s saliva, attacks the animal’s nervous system and can be transmitted to others through open wounds in the skin or membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. Typical rabies signs show up within 3 to 12 weeks, but may take a year or more to show up. Death is inevitable for unvaccinated victims, both humans and animals. Last year, post-exposure medical treatment was given to 1,074 people in Virginia as a precaution after encounters with suspicious bats, foxes, raccoons, cats, dogs and other animals. That is an increase from 789 from 2005. Additionally, there were 637 laboratory-confirmed cases of rabies in animals in 2006, compared with 495 cases in 2005. Fortunately, no humans were infected.
What you need to know: