Lord Fairfax Health District Advises Residents of Rabid Red Fox

May 31, 2019

For More Information, Contact
VDH Risk Communications Manager Lorrie Andrew-Spear – 703-530-2627

Lord Fairfax Health District Advises Residents of Rabid Red Fox
Seek Help Immediately if You Were Exposed

(WINCHESTER, Va.) — The Lord Fairfax Health District is notifying the public of a rabid red fox found in the 200 block of Solomon’s Church Road in Quicksburg on May 27. The fox was sent for rabies testing and tested positive. The fox is known to have interacted with at least two dogs.

The Lord Fairfax Health District would like to alert the community that anyone who received a bite or scratch, or were otherwise exposed to the saliva from a red fox around May 27 in the 200 block of Solomon’s Church Road in Quicksburg should seek care at the nearest emergency department immediately. Rabies is a deadly disease that is 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin, but can be prevented with treatment if it begins immediately after exposure.

The Lord Fairfax Health District encourages everyone to vaccinate their pets, to protect them, family members, loved ones and the community at large from rabies. Virginia law requires domestic animals to be vaccinated against rabies.

In addition to keeping pets vaccinated and keeping vaccinations current, take these steps to protect families and pets from exposure to rabies:

  • Avoid contact with wild animals, such as raccoons and skunks, 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; and
  • Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/rabies-control/ or call the Shenandoah County Health Department at 540-459-3733.

The Lord Fairfax Health District serves residents in the city of Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/lord-fairfax/.