A stray cat which bit a human in Spotsylvania County on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, has been confirmed positive for rabies. The cat was collected near a gas station in the 11000 block of Leavells Road, the Virginia Department of Health reported.
This is the second animal that has tested positive for rabies in Spotsylvania in June 2015. A gray fox found in the area of Spotswood Furnace Road tested positive for rabies.
The Health Department is notifying the public in case anyone – or any pets – may have had contact on or shortly before Wednesday, June 17, with a stray cat in the area of Leavells Road or Salem Church Road. The rabid cat is described as a male, orange tabby cat about 1.5 years old. If there has been any contact/exposure between humans and/or domestic animals with this cat or any wild or domestic animal behaving abnormally, please report this to Spotsylvania Animal Control at 540-582-7115 and the Spotsylvania Health Department at 540-507-7386. On the weekend or after hours, please call the Virginia Department of Health 24-hour answering service at 866-531-3068 and ask for the staff member.
Any exposed/potentially exposed individuals should seek medical advice promptly to evaluate whether rabies prevention medication is needed. Likewise, please consult your veterinarian if your pet was exposed/possibly exposed to a potentially rabid animal (such as a fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, etc.).
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is preventable in animals through vaccinations, but is fatal to both animals and humans if left untreated. Exposure to rabies is considered anytime there is a bite or scratch, or other circumstance where saliva or Central Nervous System tissue from a rabid or potentially rabid animal enters an open, fresh wound or comes in contact with a mucous membrane by entering the eye, mouth, or nose.
The Code of Virginia requires owners of dogs and cats to maintain current rabies vaccinations for animals four months old and older. In addition, residents should not approach or touch wild animals or unknown domestic animals, and should report any abnormal behavior involving these animals. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from both wild and domestic animals) must be reported to Spotsylvania County Animal Control at 540-582-7115.
To prevent the spread of rabies:
· AVOID contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know.
· REPORT unusual acting animals.
· VACCINATE all dogs, cats and ferrets and keep their vaccinations current.
· CALL your doctor and the local health department if you are exposed, or call your veterinarian and local animal control if your pet is exposed.
Vaccinating domestic animals (dogs and cats) also protects people from getting rabies. If the domestic animal population is properly vaccinated, it breaks the transmission cycle of a wild animal infecting a domestic animal (pet), and that animal infecting the pet owner.
While intentions are good, please do not put food out for stray or feral (wild domestic) animals. This will bring domestic and wild animals into close contact where transmission of the rabies virus is more likely to occur. If you have pets that live outside, feed and water them in a manner that does not attract wild animals.
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