{"id":47,"date":"2021-09-20T08:06:52","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T12:06:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2026-03-02T08:40:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T13:40:22","slug":"rabies-control","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabies Control"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-47\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-47-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-47-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-47-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.\u00a0It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound or in the eye or mouth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-47-0-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">What You Can Do to Help Control Rabies:<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<ul>\n<li>Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and selected\u00a0 livestock. Keep the vaccinations up-to-date.<\/li>\n<li>If your pet is attacked or bitten by a wild animal, report it to the local health or animal control authorities. Be sure your vaccinated dog, cat, or ferret receives a booster vaccination.<\/li>\n<li>Limit the possibility of exposure by keeping your animals on your property. Don\u2019t let pets roam free.<\/li>\n<li>Do not leave garbage or pet food outside. It may attract wild or stray animals.<\/li>\n<li>Do not keep wild animals as pets. Enjoy all wild animals from a distance,\u00a0even if they seem friendly. A rabid animal sometimes acts tame. If you see an animal acting strangely, report it to your local animal control department and\u00a0do not go near it yourself.<\/li>\n<li>For more information, contact your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/lhd\/\">local health department<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-47-0-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-47-0-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-c67d20f9f743-47\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-scaled.jpg\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/dog-bite-meawtai-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" title=\"dog-bite-meawtai\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-47-0-1-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center\">Quick Links<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/oral-rabies-vaccine-project\/\">Oral Rabies Vaccine Project<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/virginia-guidelines-for-rabies-prevention-and-control\/\">Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-47-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-47-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-47-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child\" data-index=\"4\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">If You Have Been Bitten:<\/h3>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p>Don\u2019t panic\u2026 but don\u2019t ignore the bite, either. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Washing thoroughly will greatly lessen the chance of infection. Give first aid as you would for any wound. If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it before it runs away. Don\u2019t try to pick the animal up. Call an animal control or law enforcement officer to come get it. It\u2019s critically important that you notify your family doctor immediately and explain how you got the bite. Your doctor will want to know if the animal has been captured. If necessary, your doctor will give the anti-rabies treatment recommended by the United States Public Health Service. Your doctor will also treat you for other possible infections that could be caused from the bite. Report the bite to the local health department.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-47-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-accordion panel-last-child\" data-index=\"5\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-accordion so-widget-sow-accordion-default-ac1ff0f17648-47\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h3 class=\"widget-title\">Rabies Resources<\/h3><div>\n\t<div class=\"sow-accordion\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"rabies-for-animal-healthcare-providers\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-rabies-for-animal-healthcare-providers\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-rabies-for-animal-healthcare-providers\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRabies for Animal Healthcare Providers\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-rabies-for-animal-healthcare-providers\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-rabies-for-animal-healthcare-providers\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-54 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/grey-fox-johnpane-300x200-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/grey-fox-johnpane-300x200-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2021\/09\/grey-fox-johnpane-300x200-1-272x182.jpg 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/DogCatFerret-exposure-decision-tree.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Dog Cat Ferret Exposed Decision Tree<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/LivestockExposure-decision-tree.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Livestock Exposed Decision Tree<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/animal_expose.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Domestic Animal Rabies Exposure Quick Reference Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/common.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Commonly Asked Questions About Rabies for Animal Healthcare Providers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/71\/wr\/mm7118a2.htm\" aria-describedby=\"external-link-warning\">Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/DT-human.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Human Exposed to Domestic Animal or Livestock Decision Tree<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These documents\u00a0are meant to provide quick reference for animal healthcare providers in regard to common rabies exposure issues. More detail about rabies and rabies exposures can be found in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/virginia-guidelines-for-rabies-prevention-and-control\/\">Virginia Guidelines for Rabies\u00a0Prevention and Control<\/a>. In addition, further information can be obtained from your local health department. A directory of local health departments can be found at\u00a0the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\">VDH Local Health Districts page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"rabies-for-human-healthcare-providers\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-rabies-for-human-healthcare-providers\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-rabies-for-human-healthcare-providers\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRabies for Human Healthcare Providers\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-rabies-for-human-healthcare-providers\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-rabies-for-human-healthcare-providers\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-288 size-medium alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Baby raccoon with bottle\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/10\/shutterstock_1140593891_resized.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>These documents\u00a0are meant to provide quick reference for\u00a0human healthcare providers in regard to common rabies exposure issues.\u00a0 More detail about rabies and rabies exposures can be found in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/virginia-guidelines-for-rabies-prevention-and-control\/\">Virginia Guidelines for Rabies\u00a0Prevention and Control<\/a>. In addition, further information can be obtained from your local health department. A directory of local health departments can be found at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\">the VDH Local Health Districts page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/vhost45.sitevision.com\/courses\/OEPI\/Rabies\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"external-link-warning\">Rabies Response and Vaccination Decision Toolkit for Physicians<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/DT-human.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Human Exposed to Domestic Animal or Livestock Decision Tree<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/alg-hu-rv-exp.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Human Exposed to Wildlife Decision Tree<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/mmwr\/volumes\/71\/wr\/mm7118a2.htm\" aria-describedby=\"external-link-warning\">Use of a Modified Preexposure Prophylaxis Vaccination Schedule to Prevent Human Rabies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/2023\/02\/quick-ref-flyer.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Human Rabies Exposure Quick Reference Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"rabies-clinics-in-virginia\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-rabies-clinics-in-virginia\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-rabies-clinics-in-virginia\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRabies Clinics in Virginia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-rabies-clinics-in-virginia\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-rabies-clinics-in-virginia\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">Rabies vaccination clinics may be offered outside of a registered veterinary establishment if the requirements found in \u00a7 3.2-6521 of the <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">Code of Virginia<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\"> are met which includes approval by the appropriate local health department and governing body. More about what veterinarians in Virginia should know about rabies clinics can be found in the guidance document 150-12 \u201cAdministration of rabies vaccinations, revised December 16, 2016\u201d available on the <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW239587784 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhp.virginia.gov\/vet\/vet_guidelines.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW239587784 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine\u2019s Guidance Documents page<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">. While rabies clinics held in a licensed veterinary facility do not require local government approval, veterinarians who offer <\/span><span class=\"ContextualSpellingAndGrammarError SCXW239587784 BCX8\">low cost<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\"> rabies vaccinations through their hospitals on a routine or periodic basis are encouraged to contact their local health department to share the details of this service. Questions about rabies clinics in your community should be directed to your local health department. A directory of local health departments is available at <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW239587784 BCX8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"FieldRange SCXW239587784 BCX8\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">the VDH Local Health Districts page<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW239587784 BCX8\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW239587784 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"rabies-regulations-and-exemptions\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-rabies-regulations-and-exemptions\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-rabies-regulations-and-exemptions\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRabies Regulations and Exemptions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-rabies-regulations-and-exemptions\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-rabies-regulations-and-exemptions\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia\u2019s rabies regulations can be found at the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/admincode\/title12\/agency5\/chapter105\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Virginia Legislative Information System's page on rabies regulation<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">. These regulations, in part, provide for an exemption to rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats \u201cif a vaccination would likely endanger the animal\u2019s life due to a previously diagnosed disease or other previously documented medical considerations as documented by a licensed veterinarian.\u201d A guidance document has been developed to assist veterinarians with the process of rabies vaccine exemptions which discusses the language of the law associated with exemptions and examples of certain conditions for which an exemption may be appropriate. A standard application form has also been developed for this process. Veterinarians interested in applying for an exemption should discuss the process by which they can apply with their local health departments. Veterinarians are also encouraged to contact their local health departments to report exposures or if they have questions about any of the regulatory language. A directory of local health departments can be found at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">VDH Local Health Districts page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/RabiesVaccinationExemptionsVirginia_GuidanceForVeterinarians.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rabies Vaccination Exemptions in Virginia:\u00a0 What Veterinarians Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Application-for-Rabies-Vaccination-Exemption-revised-07.26.2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Application for Rabies Vaccination Exemption<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Renewal_Application-for-Rabies-Vaccination-Exemption_revised_07.26.2019.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Renewal Application for Rabies Vaccination Exemption<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">These documents are meant to provide quick reference for animal healthcare providers in regard to common rabies exposure issues. More detail about rabies and rabies exposures can be found in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/virginia-guidelines-for-rabies-prevention-and-control\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Virginia Guidelines for Rabies Prevention and Control<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">. In addition, further information can be obtained from your local health department. A directory of local health departments can be found at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/local-health-districts\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">VDH Local Health Districts page<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-anchor-id=\"education-and-communications\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header-container\" role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-header\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" id=\"accordion-label-education-and-communications\" aria-controls=\"accordion-content-education-and-communications\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-title sow-accordion-title-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEducation and Communications\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-open-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf218;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-close-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sow-icon-ionicons\" data-sow-icon=\"&#xf209;\"\n\t\t \n\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"sow-accordion-panel-content\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"accordion-label-education-and-communications\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"accordion-content-education-and-communications\"\n\t\t\t\tstyle=\"display: none;\"\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sow-accordion-panel-border\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_English.pdf\">Rabies brochure<\/a>\u00a0(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Amharic.pdf\">Amharic<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Dari.pdf\">Dari<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Hindi.pdf\">Hindi<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Korean.pdf\">Korean<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Pashto.pdf\">Pashto<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Russian.pdf\">Russian<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Spanish.pdf\">Spanish<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Tagalog.pdf\">Tagalog<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Ukrainian.pdf\">Ukrainian<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Urdu.pdf\">Urdu<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/208\/Rabies-brochure_Vietnamese.pdf\">Vietnamese<\/a>) This resource is formatted for print distribution.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/epidemiology\/epidemiology-fact-sheets\/rabies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-describedby=\"pdf-download-warning\">Rabies Fact Sheet<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/toolkits\/animal-safety\/\">Animal Safety Communications Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.\u00a0It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rabies Control - Animal Contact &amp; Human Health<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rabies Control - Animal Contact &amp; Human Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.\u00a0It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. 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It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Animal Contact &amp; Human Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-02T13:40:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/rabies-control\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/rabies-control\\\/\",\"name\":\"Rabies Control - Animal Contact &amp; Human Health\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-20T12:06:52+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-02T13:40:22+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/rabies-control\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/rabies-control\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/rabies-control\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Rabies Control\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/\",\"name\":\"Animal Contact &amp; Human Health\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\\\/animal-contact-human-health\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Rabies Control - Animal Contact &amp; Human Health","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/animal-contact-human-health\/rabies-control\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Rabies Control - Animal Contact &amp; Human Health","og_description":"Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.\u00a0It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. 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