Rabies Case Alert – Roanoke County – Crescent Boulevard, Roanoke

Rabies Case Alert - September 9, 2022
For more information contact: Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD)
Environmental Health Division • (540) 204-9928

Rabies Case Alert
September 7th, 2022

For more information contact:
Roanoke City and Alleghany
Health Districts (RCAHD)

Environmental Health Division (540) 204-9928

RABIES CASE CONFIRMED IN ROANOKE COUNTY

Health officials have confirmed the presence of rabies in the area of
Crescent Boulevard, Roanoke, VA 24018


A fox was confirmed positive for rabies by the Virginia Department of Health on 9/9/22 in the area of Crescent Boulevard and Starkey Road in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke, VA.

Roanoke County Animal Control collected the fox on 9/3/22. Please contact the Roanoke City Health Department or Roanoke County Animal Control if you know of any possible human or animal contact with this fox.


Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is preventable in animals through vaccinations, but is fatal to both animals and humans if left untreated. Exposure to rabies is considered any time a bite, scratch or other circumstance where saliva or central nervous system tissue from a potentially rabid animal enters an open, fresh wound or comes in contact with a mucous membrane by entering the eye, mouth, or nose.

The State Code of Virginia requires pet owners (dogs and cats) to maintain current rabies vaccinations for animals four months old and older. In addition, citizens should not approach or touch wild animals, and should report any abnormal behavior involving wild animals. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to the Roanoke City Health Department (540) 204-9928, or the Roanoke
County Animal Control Dispatcher (540) 777-8606.

To help prevent the spread of rabies, everyone should:

  • AVOID contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know.
  • REPORT unusual acting animals.
  • VACCINATE all your dogs, cats and ferrets, and keep their vaccinations current.
  • CALL your doctor and the local health department if you are exposed, or your veterinarian and
    local animal control if your pet is exposed.