Alexandria Health Department Advises Residents to be Careful Around Wildlife After Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is notifying our community that a raccoon from the Potomac Yard neighborhood of Alexandria recently tested positive for rabies.

On May 23, an aggressive raccoon came into contact with a dog around East Glebe Road in the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria. The dog's owner was potentially exposed while moving the dog to safety. Both the person and dog involved in the incident are safe, and the dog is being monitored for any sign of symptoms. The raccoon was captured and killed, and it later tested positive for rabies.

AHD is advising people in the Potomac Yard area to be careful around wildlife like raccoons. Rabies exists endemically in wild animals in our area, and it is always important to be careful around wildlife.

If you see animals exhibiting symptoms of rabies, please call Alexandria Animal Control at 703.746.4444.

If you or your pet are bitten or scratched by an animal, follow these steps:

1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Give first aid as you would for any wound.
2. Seek medical care or call your pet's veterinarian.
3. Afterwards, report your exposure to AHD during normal business hours by calling 703.746.4910.

How to Keep You and Your Pets Safe

Do not feed or approach any wild, stray, or feral animals, even if they appear friendly or injured. Make sure your dogs and cats are up to date with their vaccinations. Finally, please remember that dogs must be on leash in all public areas and parks.

About Rabies

Rabies is a preventable, deadly viral disease spread through the saliva due to a bite or a scratch from an infected animal.

Symptoms of rabies in animals include:

• unexpected aggression from an animal that would normally avoid people, easily frighten, or run away
• extreme drooling or foaming at the mouth
• walking as if drunk or unusual sluggishness or stupor.

If you have questions about rabies, please call Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during normal business hours.

For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Rabies.

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