RABIES CASE CONFIRMED IN BOTETOURT COUNTY

Health officials have confirmed the presence of rabies in the area of:
Breezekrest Lane, Fincastle, VA 24090

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A skunk was confirmed positive for rabies by the Virginia Department of Health on 11/4/2022 in the area of the Breezekrest Lane in Fincastle, VA.
Botetourt County Animal Control collected the skunk on 11/01/22.

Please contact the RCAHD Environmental Health Division or the Botetourt County
Animal Control if you know of any possible human or animal contact with this skunk.

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Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is preventable in domestic animals through vaccinations, but is fatal to both animals and humans if left untreated. Exposure to rabies is considered any time a bite or scratch (or other circumstance) allows saliva or central nervous system tissue from a potentially rabid animal to enter an open, fresh wound or come into contact with a mucous membrane by entering the eye, mouth, or nose.

The Code of Virginia requires pet owners (dogs and cats) to maintain current rabies vaccinations for animals four months old and older. In addition, citizens should not approach or touch any wild or stray animals, and should report any abnormal animal behavior to their local animal control dispatcher. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to the RCAHD Environmental Health Division at 540-204-9764.

To help prevent the spread of rabies, everyone should:

• AVOID contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know.
• REPORT unusual-acting animals.
• VACCINATE all of your dogs, cats and ferrets, and keep their vaccinations current.
• CALL your doctor and the local health department if you are exposed, or your veterinarian and local animal control if your pet is exposed to an animal with rabies.