Rabies Alert Issued After Wildlife Contact With Pet In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A rabies alert has been issued after pet contact with a wild animal Tuesday, according to the Alexandria Health Department.

Officials say a fox was in contact with a cat near a home in the Del Ray and Rosemont area. Testing found the fox was positive for rabies. The fox is now dead.

Rabies is a preventable disease when treated in a timely manner with a rabies vaccination programs for pets and people who were bitten. The viral disease spreads through the saliva of an infected animal into broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth. Mammals, including pet dogs and cats, can get rabies and spread it.

Once symptoms begin, rabies is almost always fatal. People contracting rabies may experience early symptoms of general fatigue, fever, and headache for a few days. More serious symptoms following could include cerebral dysfunction, agitations, hallucinations and hydrophobia (fear of water).

Symptoms of rabies in animals are unexpected aggression from an animal that would normally avoid people or flee, extreme drooling or foaming at the mouth, and walking as if drunk or having unusual sluggishness or stupor.

If you get bitten by an animal, health officials encourage thoroughly washing the wound with soap and water. A visit to the emergency room then a primary care provider follow-up should follow. The primary care provider or the state and local health department can determine if you need a rabies vaccine.

If the bite happens from someone else's pet, health officials recommend seeking the owner's contact information so animal control can determine the pet's vaccination status. Rabies treatment may not be required if the pet is properly vaccinated.

To prevent rabies in pets, health officials recommend keeping pets properly vaccinated, not feeding or approaching wild or stray animals and keeping dogs on a leash in public areas and parks.

Reports of animals showing rabies symptoms can be directed to Alexandria Animal Control at 703-746-4444. Families with concerns about their exposure to rabies can contact the Alexandria Health Department at 703-746-4910 during business hours.