Tag: skunks

Fox Tests Positive for Rabies Virus in West Piedmont Health District

August 8, 2025

Media Contact: Sharon Ortiz-Garcia, Sharon.ortiz-garcia@vdh.virginia.gov

Fox Tests Positive for Rabies Virus in West Piedmont Health District

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – A fox found on August 5 in the 18600 block of Virgil H. Goode Hwy in Rocky Mount has tested positive for the rabies virus. Anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal (bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, mouth) should contact the Franklin County Health Department  at (540) 484-0292. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal. You may also contact Franklin County Animal Control at (540) 483-3000.

This incident is a reminder that rabies is present in Virginia wildlife such as bats, raccoons, foxes and skunks which sometimes infects domestic animals like dogs and cats.  Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and is lethal if proper medical care is not given following an exposure to the virus. The most common source of exposure to rabies is a bite by a rabid animal.  Rabies may also be transmitted by saliva from a rabid animal coming into contact with open wounds, the mouth, eyes or nose.

The West Piedmont Health District would like to remind all residents to follow these important rabies prevention guidelines:

  •  If your pet and/or livestock has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, check for injuries and contact your local animal control office.
  • Seek medical treatment promptly for any animal bite to ensure appropriate and timely evaluation and treatment. All animal exposures must be taken seriously.
  • Do not approach wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, or skunks. If you think a wild animal needs help, contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources at (804) 367-1000 or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance.
  • Bring stray domestic animals, especially if they appear ill or injured, to the attention of local animal control authorities. If you think a stray animal needs help, contact your local animal control office for guidance.
  • Have your veterinarian vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets, and selected livestock. Keep the vaccinations up to date. State law requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Confine your pets and livestock to your property.
  • Securely seal garbage containers with lids.

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/

Central Virginia Health District Confirms Rabies in a Skunk

May 2, 2025
Media Contact: Madison Shepard, madison.horacek@vdh.virginia.gov

Central Virginia Health District Confirms Rabies in a Skunk

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Appomattox County Health Department has received confirmation that a skunk submitted for testing on April 30, 2025, was positive for rabies. The skunk was found in the Gladstone area of Appomattox County. Due to the rural location where the skunk was found, the public was not at risk of contracting the disease from the rabid animal. However, the Central Virginia Health District wants to remind the public to remain vigilant since rabies is present in the area. Including the skunk, additional rabid animals have been identified in the City of Lynchburg, as well as in Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties. Last year, the district had a total of 31 cases of rabies in animals, with at least one rabid animal in each of the five localities.

Rabies can infect all mammals and is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and is lethal if proper medical care is not given following an exposure to the virus. The most common source of exposure to rabies is a bite by a rabid animal.  Rabies may also be transmitted by saliva from a rabid animal contacting an open wound, the mouth, eyes or nose. It is important to avoid contact with wild or stray animals, and parents should be sure that their children are taught not to touch, pet, or otherwise handle unknown animals.

The most important step the public can take to prevent rabies in people and pets is to 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/

West Piedmont Health District Advises Area Residents of Wildlife Testing Positive for Rabies

November 3, 2023
Media Contact: Nancy Bell, population health manager, nancy.bell@vdh.virginia.gov

West Piedmont Health District Advises Area Residents of Wildlife Testing Positive for Rabies

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. –  To protect the health of residents and visitors, the West Piedmont Health District is advising the community that two skunks have tested positive for rabies. They were found in in the same general area of Glade Hill within the past two weeks.

On October 13, a skunk testing positive for rabies was found in the vicinity of Old Franklin Turnpike and Brooks Mill Road. Most recently, on October 31, another skunk testing positive for rabies was found in a neighborhood around Crafts Church Road in Glade Hill.  Due to the relative proximity and timing of these cases within Glade Hill/Union Hall, the West Piedmont 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. “Prevention is everything when you’re dealing with rabies,” said Dr. Kerry Gateley, director for the West Piedmont Health District. “We have to do everything we can to minimize exposures, from vaccinating pets to avoiding unnecessary human contact with unvaccinated animals. This includes not creating situations in which feral or wild animals might expose each other.”

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 bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic. Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, a local medical provider or the Franklin County Health Department for further recommendations.

For additional information, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ or call the Franklin County Health Department at 540-484-0292.   To report a rabies incident after hours, please contact Franklin County Animal Control at 540-483-3000.

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.