{"id":16286,"date":"2025-11-14T11:04:44","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/?page_id=16286"},"modified":"2025-11-18T15:52:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T20:52:24","slug":"public-health-alert-rabid-cat-confirmed-in-charlottesville-november-13-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/news\/public-relations-contacts\/archived-news-releases\/2025-regional-news-releases\/public-health-alert-rabid-cat-confirmed-in-charlottesville-november-13-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabid Cat Confirmed in Charlottesville"},"content":{"rendered":"
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November 13, 2025
\nMedia Contact:<\/strong> Kathryn Goodman,\u00a0Kathryn.Goodman@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Health Alert: \u00a0Rabid Cat Confirmed in Charlottesville<\/b><\/p>\n

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. \u2013 The Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD), in coordination with the Charlottesville Police Department, is alerting the public about a confirmed case of rabies in a black cat found in the Charlottesville area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On\u00a0November 4, 2025, a black cat exhibiting aggressive behavior was reported along the\u00a0Rivanna Trail near the Free Bridge (1400 block of Long Street)\u00a0and in the vicinity of\u00a0River Road and Belleview Avenue. The cat was captured and submitted for rabies testing, which returned\u00a0positive results on the evening of November 12, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Anyone who may have had contact with a black cat in these areas – particularly if they were\u00a0bitten, scratched, or exposed to the cat\u2019s saliva – on\u00a0November 3 or the morning of November 4\u00a0is urged to take immediate action. If you believe you were exposed, please contact the\u00a0Charlottesville\/Albemarle Health Department\u00a0at\u00a0434-972-6219\u00a0as soon as possible to assess your risk and determine if post-exposure treatment is needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rabies is a deadly disease that is 100% fatal in humans and animals once symptoms appear. However, it can be prevented if the proper treatment begins immediately after exposure. Take these steps to protect families and pets from exposure to rabies:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n