Tag: animal rabies

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Share Rabies Prevention Tips

July 23, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov  

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Share Rabies Prevention Tips 

RICHMOND, Va. — In order to protect the health of residents and visitors, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) share rabies prevention tips. 

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus lives mainly in the saliva and brain of rabid animals. The virus can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or central nervous system tissue in a wound or in the eye or mouth. Transmission can occur with direct contact between a human and a rabid animal, or between a pet and a rabid animal. 

 Steps to prevent the spread of rabies: 

  • Have a licensed veterinarian vaccinate dogs and cats four months of age and older for rabies, as required by the Code of Virginia.  
  • Keep vaccinations current. 
  • Not every rabid animal looks sick. 
  • Do not feed stray animals.  
  • Avoid wild animals and pets you are not familiar with, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks. 
  • Ask the owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog. 
  • Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander. 
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with. 
  • Teach children to ask the owner before approaching an unfamiliar dog. 
  • Do not handle sick, injured, or dead animals. 
  • Keep wild animals, including bats, out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches. 
  • Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids. 

If you, a family member, or a pet are bitten by a wild, stray, or unvaccinated animal,  

  • Call 911 for medical emergencies. 
  • Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water.  
  • If it can be done without risking further direct contact, try to capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it before it runs or flies away. 
  • Contact local animal control, your healthcare provider, or RHHD.  
  • For bites to humans, notify your family doctor immediately and explain how you got the bite. 
  • This treatment generally includes wound care, human rabies, immune globulin (HRIG) and a four-dose vaccine series. 
  • Your doctor will also treat you for other possible infections that could be caused by the bite. 

For more information about rabies, visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/.  

Henrico County offers Rabies Vaccination Clincs for domestic animals four times per year. The next clinic takes place on Saturday, August 16, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Henrico Western Government Center (4301 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228). Residents with questions about the clinic can call 804-727-8801 (Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4:20 p.m.). 

For more health and safety information, follow RHHD on Instagram at @richmondcity_hd and on Facebook, visit rhhd.gov, and sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news. 

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Report Rabies Case in Raccoon in Richmond

February 21, 2025

Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Report Rabies Case in Raccoon in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. — In order to protect the health of residents and visitors, the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) is issuing a notice that a racoon found in the area around the 8600 block of Chippenham Road has tested positive for rabies.

Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC) was notified on February 14 that a rabies-vaccinated dog encountered an ill raccoon in the vicinity of the 8600 block of Chippenham Road. The raccoon was collected by RACC and submitted for testing. Results were positive for rabies. The dog received a booster dose of the rabies vaccine. There are NO known exposures to humans or additional animals at this time.

Anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal (bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, or mouth) should contact the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Environmental Health Office at 804-205-3912. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal. After hours, please contact Richmond Animal Care & Control at 804-646-5573.

Steps to prevent the spread of rabies:

To protect pets and their owners from rabies, Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccinations be kept current.

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts remind all community members to follow these important rabies prevention guidelines:

  • Do not feed stray animals.
  • Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks.
  • Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.
  • Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals.
  • Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches.
  • Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.

If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, your healthcare provider or the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts. For more information about rabies, visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/.

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New River Health District Warns of Rabies Concerns

August 9, 2023
Media Contact: Linda Scarborough, public information officer – Western Region, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov

New River Health District Warns of Rabies Concerns

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va.  — To protect the health of residents and visitors, the New River Health District is issuing a notice about two foxes testing positive for rabies that were found in in the same general area of Christiansburg within the past week. The most recent encounter, on August 5, marks the fifth laboratory confirmed case of animal rabies in Montgomery County and the twelfth in the New River Health District this year.

On August 5, 2023, a fox testing positive for rabies was found in a neighborhood around Blake Drive in Christiansburg. This is the second confirmed case of animal rabies in Christiansburg within the past week. A few days prior, another fox testing positive for rabies was located in a neighborhood around Dunlap Drive in Christiansburg. In each incident a person was reportedly exposed to the animal. The New River Health District asks anyone who may have come into contact with either of the foxes in or around the area of Blake Drive or Dunlap Drive to call the Montgomery County Health Department at 540-585-3300.

Due to the relative proximity and timing of these cases within Christiansburg, the New River Health District wants to remind everyone, and especially pet owners, of the risks of rabies.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system.  It is almost always fatal, unless preventive treatment is administered before symptoms develop. “It is important to keep your pets properly vaccinated and to seek medical attention promptly if you or your pet are exposed,” said Dr. Noelle Bissell, director for the New River Health District.

Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccinations be kept current.

Additional Steps to Protect Against Rabies Exposure:

  • Do not feed stray animals. Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and their shots are up to date. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.
  • Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals.
  • Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
  • Do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals.
  • If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic. Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, your doctor or the Montgomery County Health Department for further recommendations.

For additional information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/animal-contact-human-health/ or call the Montgomery County Health Department at 540-585-3300.

Mount Rogers Health District Confirms Two Cases of Animal Rabies

February 24, 2023

Media Contact:
Linda Scarborough, Western Region PIO, linda.scarborough@vdh.virginia.gov


Mount Rogers Health District Confirms Two Cases of Animal Rabies

DUGSPUR, Va. – In order to protect the health of residents and visitors, the Carroll County Health Department is issuing a notice about two skunks that have tested positive for rabies in the Hunters Ridge Road area of Dugspur.

On February 22, a skunk on the 300 block of Hunters Ridge Road entered a pen with a dog and the resident and displayed suspicious behavior. The skunk was collected and tested positive for rabies. The next day, a second skunk was observed displaying unusual behavior in the same vicinity. This animal was tested today and received a positive result for rabies as well.

The Carroll County Health Department asks anyone who may have come into contact with a skunk in this area to contact the health department at (276) 730-3180 or contact the area sheriff’s office.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Rabies can be prevented in cats, dogs, ferrets and some livestock with a rabies vaccination. Rabies kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva and brain tissue 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.

Steps to Prevent the Spread of Rabies:

To protect pets and their owners from rabies, Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccinations be kept current.

The Carroll County Health Department is reminding the public to avoid contact with bats, feral cats, stray dogs and wild animals, particularly in the area where the skunk was found. See additional precautions below.

Additional Steps to Protect Against Rabies Exposure:

  • Do not feed stray animals. Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and their shots are up to date. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.
  • Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals.
  • Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
  • If you observe any stray animals in the area, contact the Carroll County Health Department for assistance at 276-730-3180. Please do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals.
  • If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic. Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, your doctor or the Carroll County Health Department for further recommendations.

For additional information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/animal-contact-human-health/ or call the Carroll County Health Department at (276) 730-3180.