{"id":6116,"date":"2022-07-07T13:35:09","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T13:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/roanoke\/?page_id=6116"},"modified":"2024-09-09T16:55:34","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T16:55:34","slug":"rabies-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/roanoke\/rabies-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Rabies Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This division works very closely with the Animal Control Divisions, reviews reports of all animal bites to insure proper procedures for confinement, confinement releases and notifications to victims. When animals are not located for confinement or testing, victims receive calls and letters from the EHSS to assure they are aware of the state health department\u2019s position regarding the need for rabies post-exposure treatment. This division also makes the decision to require animal rabies testing when necessary, and prepares the specimens for shipment to the state laboratory<\/span><\/p>\n

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that is nearly 100 percent fatal in mammals, including humans. The virus is present in some wild animals and can be spread to pets and humans. The rabies virus is found in the saliva and central nervous tissue of an infected animal. The virus is usually spread through a bite or scratch, but also can be passed along when an infected animal\u2019s saliva or central nervous tissue enters an open wound, mouth, nose or eyes of another mammal.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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What you need to know about Rabies.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Rabies <\/b><\/span>in animals<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Signs of rabies<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Prevention<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Attacks on people<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Attacks on pets<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Resources<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Rabies in Animals<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Only mammals can get rabies. Birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians cannot get rabies. The most frequently reported wild animals with rabies in Fairfax are raccoons, foxes, skunks and\u00a0bats<\/a>. Rabbits, squirrels, rats and mice rarely get rabies. Cats are the most common domestic animal diagnosed with rabies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Signs of Rabies in Animals<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Rabid animals may show strange behavior such as being aggressive, attacking other animals or humans for no reason, or acting tame (this is not a normal behavior in wild animals). Animals infected with rabies may not be able to eat, drink or swallow. As a result, the animal may drool because they cannot swallow their saliva. The animal may stagger or stumble when moving and can become paralyzed. Rabid animals will typically die within a week of developing symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Protect Yourself, your Family, & your Pets<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Vaccination<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n