YORKTOWN, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reminding people to have their pets vaccinated, after a raccoon tested positive for rabies in Newport News.
The test results came after a raccoon was collected from the vicinity of Yorktown Road and Curtis Drive off Warwick Blvd.
Health officials said human exposure to rabies happens when the saliva of an infected animal enters the body through an open wound or mucous membrane, such as an animal bite.
Rabies is 100% fatal if left untreated.
The district advises residents to:
- Make sure that all pets have rabies vaccinations that are current.
- Don't approach or feed wild or stray animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, cats and dogs.
- Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
VDH said if anyone in your household, including pets, has had any exposure to stray or wild animals in the area contact your physician or call the Health Department at Peninsula Health District Environmental Health Office at 757-594-7340.
