Rabid Fox Case Confirmed in Chesterfield County, Virginia
Rabies Case Alert – May 22, 2025
A fox collected on May 19 near Old Happy Hill Road and Branders Bridge Road in Chester was confirmed positive for rabies. “Please contact the Chesterfield Health District at 804-914-2676 or Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1251 if you know of any possible human or animal contact with this fox,” Environmental Health Supervisor Ashley Jimison said.
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is preventable in domestic animals through vaccinations but is fatal to both animals and humans if left untreated. Exposure to rabies is considered:
- Any bite, scratch, or other circumstance where saliva from a suspected rabid animal enters an open wound or the eyes, nose, or mouth. This includes dogs and cats that have bitten a person until the end of the 10-day observation period.
The Code of Virginia §3.2-6521 requires pet owners to maintain current rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats aged four months and older. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to the Chesterfield Health District.
To help prevent the spread of rabies and rabies exposures, everyone should:
- AVOID contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know.
- REPORT sick or injured animals to Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1251.
- VACCINATE all of your dogs and cats, and keep their vaccinations current. Talk with your veterinarian about rabies vaccinations that are available for other domestic animals.
- CALL your doctor and the local health department if you are concerned about rabies exposure, or your veterinarian and local animal control if you think your pet has been exposed to an animal with rabies.
If you see a wild animal exhibiting neurologic symptoms (lack of fear of humans, circling or wobbly gait, inability to stand, etc.), please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1251 or the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003 or email wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov. Do not attempt to handle or capture it.
For more information, visit Chesterfield Health District’s rabies page.