Alexandria Health Department Issues Rabies Alert After Fox in the Del Ray/Rosemont Area Tests Positive

Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is notifying Alexandria community members that a fox from the Del Ray/Rosemont area tested positive for rabies.

On August 19, a fox came into contact with a cat near a home in Alexandria's Del Ray/Rosemont area. Upon testing, the fox tested positive for rabies. The fox is dead, and Alexandria Health Department is working with the cat's owner on safe next steps, but there is an increased risk of rabies exposures in the community.

If you see animals exhibiting symptoms of rabies, please call Alexandria Animal Control at 703.746.4444. If you have concerns about you or your family being exposed to rabies, please call Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during normal business hours.

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.

For more information and links to other recent rabies alerts, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/Rabies.

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email [email protected]or call 703.746.3960.

For media inquiries only, contact Eve Elliott at [email protected]or call 804.467.5160.