Politics & Government

Fairfax County Sees 32 Animal Rabies Cases So Far in 2011

Most cases in county are among raccoons.

So far in 2011, Fairfax County has seen 32 cases of animal rabies, according to the Virginia Department of Health's Office of Epidemiology.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system and kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva of rabid animals and can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva in a wound or in the eye or mouth.

The 32 Fairfax County cases, confirmed as of Aug. 20, by a state-sanctioned lab, show that the cases were scattered among a variety of animal species, including:

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  • Bat: 1
  • Cat: 1
  • Fox: 4
  • Groundhog: 1
  • Raccoon: 19
  • Skunk: 6

Last year, Fairfax County saw 50 animal rabies cases for the year. Statewide, the total number of animal rabies cases so far this year, 401, is outpacing last year's total of 348 cases. Last year's count included three types of animals not included so far in this year's count: a deer, five dogs and one opossum.

To keep yourself and pets safe from any possible rabid animals, the state health department recommends:

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1. Keeping your pet's (dogs, cats, ferrets) vaccinations up to date. (Fairfax County charges a $250 fine for unvaccinated pets. All dogs four months and older should also have a license.) Check with your vet to find out if you're due to take your pet in soon for a new vaccination. 

2. Fairfax County offers $12 rabies vaccines in two upcoming clinics:

Sunday, Sept. 18
2–4 p.m.
Mason District Government Center
6507 Columbia Pike
Annandale, Va. 22003

Sunday, Dec. 4
2–4 p.m.
Sully District Government Center
4900 Stonecroft Blvd.
Chantilly, Va. 20151

3. If your pet gets attacked or bitten by a wild animal, even if your pet is vaccinated, making sure you take them in for a "booster" vaccination. Report it to Fairfax County.

4. Signs that your pet may have rabies from another animal: A pet infected with the rabies virus may show behavioral changes such as increased anxiety, depression, irritability, increased affection or may not show any symptoms at all. Once clinical signs, or overt symptoms, appear, the animal will die within a week.

5. Keep your pets from roaming around your neighborhood; keep them on your property.

6. Don't leave any garbage or pet food outside that would attract wild or stray animals.

If you see animals acting strangely, call Fairfax County Animal Control: (703) 691-2131

Starting Friday, Sept. 2, the county will start a door-to-door notification program anytime a rabid animal is discovered in the neighborhood. Fliers about rabid animals will be left at homes if no one is home. 


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