March 5, 2025
Media Contact: Madison Horacek, [email protected]
Rabies Update in Central Virginia Health District
LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Central Virginia Health District is providing an update on the occurrence of rabies in the district, which includes the City of Lynchburg and Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell counties. Since January 1, 2025, the district has received reports from the state laboratory that four animals have tested positive for rabies. The rabid animals include two raccoons, one skunk and one dog. The rabid skunk was found in Lynchburg and the other three animals were found in Bedford County. In 2024, the district had 31 cases of rabies in animals, with at least one rabid animal in each of our five localities.
With the rabid dog case, our records indicate that the animal was up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Rabies in a properly vaccinated dog or cat is extremely rare, but health department protocol for animal bites recognizes the possibility. When a person is bitten by a vaccinated dog or cat, the animal is observed for 10 days, regardless of the vaccination history. This will confirm that the animal was not contagious for rabies when the bite occurred. We know that despite the rare “breakthrough” rabies cases, proper vaccination of cats and dogs is extremely effective for preventing rabies in both animals and people.
The Central Virginia Health District urges the public to take commonsense measures to protect themselves and their domestic animals from rabies. Pet owners should keep their pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccinations be kept current.
Additional steps that can be taken to prevent rabies in people and pets include:
- Do not feed stray animals. Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks. Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.
- Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.
- Do not handle sick, injured or dead animals. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabber if you have concerns about sick or injured wildlife. A list of permitted wildlife rehabilitators can be found at the Department of Wildlife Resources website (https://dwr.virginia.gov) or by calling the nearest Wildlife Resources office.
- Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight fitting lids.
- Do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals. If a bat is found indoors and may have had contact with someone, do not release it. Call your local animal control officer or health department to determine if the animal should be picked up and tested for rabies.
- Report all bites to people to the local health department for investigation.
If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal do not panic. Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, your healthcare provider or the health department for further recommendations.
For more information about rabies, visit: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/