2 Rabid Animals Found In Herndon: Authorities

HERNDON, VA — The Fairfax County Health Department is warning residents of Herndon and the surrounding area after two rabid animals were discovered within a mile of each other.

On Aug. 16, a resident's dog in the 2500 block of Brofferton Court killed a groundhog, and the dog's owner reported it to authorities who tested the animal and found that it was positive for rabies.

On Sept. 13, another resident's dog in the 12800 block of Pinecrest Road killed a raccoon. Once again, the dog's owner reported the event to authorities and the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

"During the time these animals were sick, they may have had contact with other people or pets," the health department said in a statement. "If you, someone you know, or a pet touched or was bitten or scratched by these animals between Aug. 7 and Sept. 13, you are urged to call the Fairfax County Health Department’s Rabies Program at 703-246-2433, TTY 711."

Rabies is a serious disease that can be spread from wildlife to domestic animals and to humans. It lives in the saliva and central nervous tissue of an infected animal, and can be passed through bites or scratches.

A total of 38 animals have tested positive for rabies in Fairfax County in 2019.

"Animals with rabies may act normally during the early stages of the disease, making it difficult to know if the animal is infected," the statement reads. "As the disease progresses, animals often show changes in behavior. For example, wild animals may act very docile and domestic animals may become aggressive. Rabid animals may stagger, drool or become paralyzed. Protect yourself and your family from rabies: stay away from wild animals and be sure pets are vaccinated against rabies every year."

The county advises pet owners to not allow pets to roam unattended, to not adopt or feed wild or stray animals, and to seal openings in your house to keep wildlife from getting in.

"If bitten or scratched by an animal that might have rabies, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention right away," the statement adds. "When vaccinations are provided in time, rabies treatment is 100 percent effective in preventing the disease. But if not treated, rabies is 100 percent fatal."

You can report animal bites or even just animals that are behaving strangely (including domestic animals) to Fairfax County's Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.