Tag: animals

Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips

Posted on by lindascarborough

September 25, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips
World Rabies Day is September 28

STAUNTON, Va. – World Rabies Day is September 28. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) reminds you to avoid contact with strays and wild animals. Even though rabies is nearly 100% fatal, it is highly preventable.

Rabies is commonly found in Virginia in wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes. This year, 151 animals tested positive with rabies in Virginia. CSHD has had 16 animals test positive for rabies so far in 2025.

“Rabies is a fatal disease,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “Vaccinating your pets protects them from other animals that might have rabies. Not only does vaccination prevent your pets from getting rabies, it prevents your pets from biting and spreading the virus to humans.”

Virginia law requirecshs all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccinations must be kept current.

To protect yourself and your animals from rabies:

  • Do not feed stray animals. Report them to local animal control authorities by calling 540-332-3842.
  • Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Wild animals are not pets.
  • Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals. Instead, report these animals to the Department of Wildlife Resources. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators are another option.
  • Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and unfamiliar pets.
  • Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
  • Keep wild animals out of your home by capping chimneys with screens. Block openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and their shots are up to date. By law, all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Talk with your healthcare provider before traveling overseas to see if rabies vaccinations are recommended.

Anyone potentially exposed to a rabid animal should notify their healthcare provider immediately. Exposure includes any bites, scratches or contact with saliva.

If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic. Wash animal bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water to decrease the chance of infection. Contact your healthcare provider or the Central Shenandoah Health District for further recommendations.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by an animal, contact Staunton Animal Control at 540-332-3842 or the Staunton-Augusta Health Department at 540-332-7830.

For more information about rabies, visit the Virginia Department of Health Rabies Control webpage.

Cumberland Plateau Health District Reports Rabies Confirmed in Bat

August 6, 2025
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsuker, Daniel.Hunsuker@vdh.viirginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau Health District Reports Rabies Confirmed in Bat
Residents should report any possible human or animal contact
with any suspected rabid animal

BISHOP, Va. – The Tazewell County Health Department reports a bat from the Bishop area in Tazewell County tested positive for rabies on August 4. There was a known exposure, and the patient is undergoing preventive rabies vaccination treatment. This is the first confirmed case of animal rabies in Tazewell County and in the Cumberland Plateau Health District this year.

Reports of potential exposures to bats have been increasing and the health department wants to remind residents of the importance to report any exposure to a bat or other potential rabid animal to the local health department.

If you, a member of your household, or your pets are bitten by or possibly exposed to a bat or other potential rabid animal — including saliva that gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, or wounds, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately.

Bats have small teeth that may leave marks not easily seen. Although many people know if they have been bitten by a bat, there are certain circumstances when a person might not be aware or able to tell if they have been bitten. Be aware if a bat is discovered anywhere within a home, especially if it is found in a room with an unattended child or near a person with a disability. In these circumstances, a person should seek medical attention and have the bat tested for rabies.

The Tazewell County Health Department also reminds all residents 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.
  • Make sure your pets are vaccinated against rabies and their shots are up to date. By law, dogs and cats 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. If you see a wild animal that appears to be ill, injured or orphaned, contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
  • 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

Rabies is linked to a virus that attacks the nervous system and can be deadly if not properly treated. For more information, contact the Tazewell County Health Department at (276) 988-5585 or visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/

Rabies Update in Central Virginia Health District

March 5, 2025
Media Contact: Madison Horacek, madison.horacek@vdh.virginia.gov

Rabies Update in Central Virginia Health District

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Central Virginia Health District is providing an update on the occurrence of rabies in the district, which includes the City of Lynchburg and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties.  Since January 1, 2025, the district has received reports from the state laboratory that four animals have tested positive for rabies. The rabid animals include two raccoons, one skunk and one dog.  The rabid skunk was found in Lynchburg and the other three animals were found in Bedford County. In 2024, the district had 31 cases of rabies in animals, with at least one rabid animal in each of our five localities.

With the rabid dog case, our records indicate that the animal was up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Rabies in a properly vaccinated dog or cat is extremely rare, but health department protocol for animal bites recognizes the possibility. When a person is bitten by a vaccinated dog or cat, the animal is observed for 10 days, regardless of the vaccination history. This will confirm that the animal was not contagious for rabies when the bite occurred. We know that despite the rare “breakthrough” rabies cases, proper vaccination of cats and dogs is extremely effective for preventing rabies in both animals and people.

The Central Virginia Health District urges the public to take commonsense measures to protect themselves and their domestic animals from rabies.  Pet owners should keep their pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations. 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 that can be taken to prevent rabies in people and pets include:

  • 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. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabber if you have concerns about sick or injured wildlife. A list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators can be found at the Department of Wildlife Resources website (https://dwr.virginia.gov) or by calling the nearest Wildlife Resources office.
  • 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 a bat is found indoors and may have had contact with someone, do not release it. Call your local animal control officer or health department to determine if the animal should be picked up and tested for rabies.
  • Report all bites to people to the local health department for investigation.

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 healthcare provider or the health department for further recommendations.

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

Raccoon Tests Positive for the Rabies Virus in Rockbridge County

February 29, 2024
Media Contact: Laura Lee Wight
Population Health Manager
laura.wight@vdh.virginia.gov

Raccoon Tests Positive for the Rabies Virus in Rockbridge County

(LEXINGTON, Va) The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) would like to notify residents in the areas of Vallance Way, Village Way, Spencer Court, and Greenhouse Road in Rockbridge County that a raccoon found in the area has tested positive for the rabies virus. The raccoon no longer poses a threat to the public, but CSHD wants to remind everyone, and especially pet owners, of the risks of rabies.

Anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal in the days leading up to February 21, 2024 (bite, scratch, or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, mouth) should contact the Lexington-Rockbridge Health Department at (540) 463-3185. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal.

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. For more information, please visit the Virginia Department of Health’s Rabies Control page:  vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/.

CSHD would like to remind all citizens to follow these important rabies prevention guidelines:

  • Vaccinate your pets.
  • Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
  • Enjoy wildlife from a distance-do not feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, or foxes to visit your premises.

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.

Cat Tests Positive for Rabies Virus in the Central Shenandoah Health District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2023
Jordan Shelton, CSHD communications specialist & PIO
jordan.shelton@vdh.virginia.gov                                     

Cat Tests Positive for Rabies Virus in the Central Shenandoah Health District

(STAUNTON, Va.) — The Central Shenandoah Health District is notifying the public of a rabid stray cat found on the James Madison University campus on December 17, 2022. The cat was brought to the Rockingham Harrisonburg SPCA prior to being euthanized and tested positive for rabies December 22.

This animal no longer poses a threat to the public, however, anyone who believes that they, their child, or their pet might have made contact with a stray cat in the days leading up to December 17, 2022 should call the Staunton-Augusta Health Department at (540) 332-7830. Potential exposures to a rabid animal include bites, scratches, or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, and/or mouth.

Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease carried by mammals that is endemic to the area. CSHD 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.
  • Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

For additional information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/animal-contact-human-health/ or call the Staunton-Augusta Health Department at (540) 332-7830.