The Rappahannock Area Health District received test results for a raccoon that has tested positive for the rabies virus in King George in the area of Millbank Road..
The health department says if you have had contact with a wild animal, please contact animal control office and your physician.
Officials say rabies is a 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 not treated immediately after exposure. Exposure to rabies is considered any time a bite, scratch or other circumstance where saliva or central nervous system tissue from a rabid or potentially rabid animal enters an open, fresh wound or comes in contact with a mucous membrane by entering a person’s eye, mouth, or nose.
You should not approach or touch wild animals or unknown domestic animals and report any abnormal behavior involving these animals. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to King George County Animal Control at (540) 775-2120.
The Rappahannock Area Health District says 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 to King George Animal Control.
· 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.
While intentions are good, the health department discourages individuals from putting food out for stray or feral (wild domestic) animals. This will bring domestic and wild animals into close contact where transmission of the rabies virus may occur. If you have pets living outside, feed and water them in a manner that is not an attractant to wild animals.
