Last Updated: January 22, 2025
For More Information Contact
- Toinette Waldon, Environmental Health Manager, Toinette.Waldon@vdh.virginia.gov
- Media Contact: Tara Rose, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov
(Surry, Va.)- A second red fox tests positive for rabies in Surry County. The female fox was collected from 2030 Cobham Warf Road on Friday, May 29, 2020. Just a few weeks earlier, the first animal was found near Otterdam Road. The Surry Health Department and Surry Animal Control continue to encourage animal owners to keep pets confined to their property and make sure that all pet vaccinations, especially rabies, are current.
“Please notify public health officials or animal control immediately if you live near Cobham Warf or Otterdam Road and think that you or your pet(s) had contact with the infected foxes. Your safety as well as the community is our top concern. Make sure to avoid any contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs,” says Crater District Health Departments Director Alton Hart, Jr., MD, MPH.
“Rabies is a preventable disease, but once symptoms begin, it cannot be cured. We encourage all pet owners to vaccinate their animals to keep them protected,” shares Toinette Waldon, Environmental Health Manager, Crater Health District.
The Health Department strongly advises that people take the following steps to prevent families and pets from being exposed to rabies:
- Vaccinate all cats, dogs and ferrets against rabies and keep them up to date.
- Avoid contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
- Do not feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs.
- Report stray animals to your local animal control agency.
- Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home.
- Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.
To report a stray and/or suspicious animal, please contact Surry Animal Control at 757-294-0158 or for emergencies call 757-294-5264. For more information on protecting your family from rabies call 804-863-1652 or visit Crater Health District online at www.craterhd.net