Lord Fairfax Health District advises residents of rabid raccoon in Warren County

WINCHESTER — The Lord Fairfax Health District is notifying the public of a rabid raccoon found on Squaw Path Way in the Blue Mountain Subdivision in Linden. Local animal control captured the raccoon on January 28, and it tested positive for rabies. The raccoon is known to have interacted with one dog. That dog was up to date on its rabies shots, so it is getting a booster rabies shot and is on 45 day confinement. This is the normal procedure for a vaccinated animal that may have been exposed to rabies.

There are no known reports of any bites or scratches to any humans or other animals from this raccoon. However, the Warren County Health Department would like to alert the community that anyone who received a bite or scratch, or were otherwise exposed to the saliva, from a raccoon around January 28 in the area Squaw Path Way should seek care at the nearest emergency department immediately. Rabies is a deadly disease that is 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin, but can be prevented with treatment if it begins immediately after exposure.

The Lord Fairfax Health District encourages everyone to vaccinate their pets, to protect them, family members, loved ones and the community at large from rabies. Virginia law requires domestic animals to be vaccinated against rabies.

In addition to keeping pets vaccinated and keeping vaccinations current, take these steps to protect family members and pets from rabies:

• Avoid contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs;
• Do not feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs;
• Report stray animals to your local animal control agency;
• Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home; and
• Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-epidemiology/rabies-control/ or call the Warren County Health Department at 540-635-3159.

The Lord Fairfax Health District serves residents in the city of Winchester and Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties. For more information, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/lord-fairfax/.