RABIES CASE CONFIRMED IN BOTETOURT COUNTY

Health officials have confirmed the presence of rabies in the area of
Botetourt Road, Fincastle VA 24090

A fox was confirmed positive for rabies by the Virginia Department of Health on 6/30/2022 in the area between Botetourt Road and North Hancock St./Springwood Road in Fincastle, VA. Botetourt County Animal Control collected the fox on 6/27/2022. Please contact the Roanoke City Health Department or Botetourt County Animal Control if you know of any possible human or animal contact with any wild animal.

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 any time a bite, scratch or other circumstance where saliva or central nervous system tissue from a potentially rabid animal enters an open, fresh wound or comes in contact with a mucous membrane by entering the eye, mouth, or nose.

The State 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 wild animals, and should report any abnormal behavior involving wild animals. All animal bites and rabies exposures (from wild and domestic animals) must be reported to the Botetourt County Health Department at (540) 473-8240, or the Botetourt County Animal Control Dispatcher at (540) 473-8320.

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 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.