Social Media Toolkit
Animal Exhibits & Swine Flu
Did you know? Pigs can get the flu, and it’s a different one from human flu! If you visit an animal exhibit, make sure to take the right steps to protect yourself (and them!). For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/prevention.html
People younger than 5 and older than 65 are at higher risk for getting sick from the flu, including swine flu. This fall, keep your distance from the animals if you are at high risk. If you visit them, wash your hands to keep yourself safe. For more info: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/prevention.html
Interactive animal exhibits can be fun and educational. Stay safe by keeping food and animals separate!
- Don’t eat or drink around animals.
- Don’t share your food with animals, no matter how cute they are!
- Don’t eat raw (unpasteurized) products.
- Wash your hands before eating or drinking.
Rabies
If your pet is attacked or bitten by a wild animal, be sure to report it to your local health department or animal control authorities. For more information on how to protect yourself & your pets from #rabies, check out https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/. #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
Contact your local health department to find a rabies clinic in your area and make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccinations. For more information about rabies, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
Keep the wild things wild! If you are feeding wild animals... STOP. This will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and make it more likely that they will spread disease, including #rabies. For more info, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/. #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
If you wake up to find a bat in your room or the room of a child or mentally impaired person, contain the bat safely and contact your local health department. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/local-health-districts/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
You can protect yourselves & your pets from #rabies:
🐻 Appreciate wildlife from a distance.
🐿️ Don’t adopt wild animals as pets.
🏠 Keep your pets on your own property.
🦝 Keep garbage and pet food secure indoors.
For more info, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
Virginia is home to many types of wildlife. But it's important to keep your distance, even if the animal seems friendly. Rabid animals can sometimes act tame. For more information about #rabies visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
What can you do to protect your family and your pets from #rabies? Learn more by visiting: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/animal-contact-human-health/rabies-control/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
If you see a wild animal that looks sick or in trouble, don’t take matters into your own hands. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabber or the Department of Wildlife Resources. A directory of wildlife care professionals can be found at https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/injured/rehabilitators/. #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself
Protect the ones you love! Vaccinate your dogs, cats, ferrets and selected livestock for rabies. Ask your veterinarian about rabies vaccinations. A directory of veterinarians can be found at https://www.vvma.org/ #ProtectYourPetsProtectYourself