Increase in Rabies Cases On The Shore

In the past week there have been four laboratory confirmed rabid animals collected from Accomack and Northampton Counties.

A rabid fox was collected from Seaside Road near Eastivlle (Simpkins) last week. This week a rabid raccoon was collected from Cardinal Acres near Parksley, another rabid raccoon was collected from Racetrack Road near Melfa. Another rabid raccoon was collected from the Deep Hole Rd. area of Chincoteague.

All of these animals had contact with pet dogs, except the Chincoteague Raccoon which was witnessed fighting with a stray gray cat that escaped.

Citizens are reminded to vaccinate their pets, and keep those vaccinations up to date.

Children should be instructed to avoid contact with all wild animals, and stray or unknown pets.

Animals at high risk of contracting rabies include bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks and cats.

All animal bites to people or pets should be reported within 24 hours to the Accomack County Sheriffs Dept. or the Health Department. The 24/7 Environmental Health Hotline can be reached at (757) 302-4300.

 BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER

VACCINATE YOUR ANIMALS