Tag: world rabies day

Central Virginia Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips

September 22, 2025
Media Contact: Kim Foster, kimberlee.foster@vdh.virginia.gov

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

LYNCHBURG, Va. – World Rabies Day is September 28. Central Virginia Health District 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. Since January 1 of this year, 23 animals have tested positive for rabies in the Central Virginia Health District.

Vaccinating domestic animals, especially cats and dogs, is an important and effective barrier to prevent the transmission of rabies from wild animals to humans. Cats and dogs are more likely than people to have contact with wild animals and, if infected with rabies, could pass the disease along to humans. Virginia law requires 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.
• 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 local health department for further recommendations.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by an animal, contact your local animal control of health department office.

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

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.

The Chesapeake Health Department Rabies Safety and Vax Clinic

September 24, 2025

Media Contact: Kimi Stevens, kimi.stevens@vdh.virginia,gov

The Chesapeake Health Department Rabies Safety and Vax Clinic
World Rabies Day is September 28

CHESAPEAKE, Va. – World Rabies Day is September 28. The Chesapeake Health Department 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.

“Rabies is 100% preventable, but only if we act.” says Nicole Yirenkyi, Chesapeake Health Department Rabies Program Supervisor. “Vaccinate, educate, and advocate because every life matters.” Virginia law requires all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Vaccinations must be kept current.

The Chesapeake Health Department will host a $10 rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the parking lot.

  • First come, first served.
  • Dogs and cats are welcome.
  • Cash only.
  • Residency is not required.
  • Pets MUST BE in a crate or on a leash.
  • One year and three-year rabies certificates available with current pet vaccination record.

To protect yourself and your animals from rabies:

  • Do not feed stray animals. Report them to local animal control authorities at Chesapeake Animal Services. 757-382-8181
  • 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 Chesapeake Health Department for further recommendations.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by an animal, contact animal control or The Chesapeake Health Department.

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

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Three Rivers Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips

September 16, 2025
Media Contact: Brenden Rivenbark, Brenden.Rivenbark@vdh.virginia.gov

Three Rivers Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips
World Rabies Day is September 28

SALUDA, Va. – World Rabies Day is September 28. The Three Rivers Health District 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.

“By vaccinating our pets and avoiding contact with wild and feral animals, we can drastically reduce the risk of this fatal disease,” says Brenden Rivenbark, Three Rivers Health District Director.

Virginia law requires 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.
  • 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 Three Rivers Health District for further recommendations.

If your pet is attacked or bitten by an animal, contact animal control or the Three Rivers Health District For more information about rabies, visit the Virginia Department of Health Rabies Control webpage.

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World Rabies Day is September 28

September 24, 2024
Media Contact: Kim Foster, MHA, population health manager, kimberlee.foster@vdh.virginia.gov

World Rabies Day is September 28

LYNCHBURG, Va. – With World Rabies Day approaching on September 28, the Central Virginia Health District wants to make residents more aware that rabies is present in Virginia and explain what they can do to prevent the spread of rabies.

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.

Did you know that in the last 12 months (since October 1, 2023) 28 animals in the Central Virginia Health District tested positive for rabies? Six of those animals exposed one or more persons to rabies and 20 exposed one or more domestic animals to the virus.

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.

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 local animal control for assistance. Please do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals.