{"id":15670,"date":"2025-09-22T12:02:23","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=15670"},"modified":"2025-09-22T12:03:23","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T16:03:23","slug":"rappahannock-rapidan-health-district-shares-rabies-safety-tips","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/rappahannock-rapidan-health-district-shares-rabies-safety-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Shares Rabies Safety Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

September 22, 2025
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Dr Zelalem Attlee, Zelalem.Attlee@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District<\/strong> Shares Rabies Safety Tips
\n<\/strong>World Rabies Day is September 28<\/em><\/p>\n

WARRENTON, Va. \u2013 World Rabies Day<\/a> is September 28. The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District reminds you to avoid contact with strays and wild animals. Even though rabies is nearly 100% fatal, it is highly preventable.<\/p>\n

Rabies<\/a> is commonly found in Virginia in wild animals, such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes. This year, 151 animals<\/a> tested positive with rabies in Virginia. In The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District we did not have reported Rabies cases this year and the years before.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur community\u2019s best defense against rabies is prevention,\u201d said Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District Director James B. Carr, M.D. \u201cMake sure your pets are up to date on their rabies shots and teach children to avoid unfamiliar animals; these simple steps save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To protect yourself and your animals from rabies:<\/p>\n