Rabid cat found in Hanover neighborhood, residents asked to report exposures

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Health officials are alerting a Hanover County neighborhood to a rabid cat they may have come into contact with recently.

A cat that spent time in the area of Rodeo Drive and Wyattwood Road of the Berkley Forest subdivision in Mechanicsville has tested positive for rabies, according to a July 25 press release from the Virginia Department of Health's (VDH) Chickahominy Health District.

"The cat no longer poses a threat to the public," health officials said.

Anyone who may have had contact with this cat in the days prior to Thursday, July 24, may have been exposed to rabies. In this case, contact that could risk rabies exposure includes:

• Directly handling/touching the rabid animal
• Being bitten by the rabid animal
• Being scratched by the rabid animal
• The rabid animal's saliva touching your eyes, nose or mouth or an open wound

If you believe you or someone you know may have been exposed, please contact the Hanover Health Department at 804-365-4313. If you need to report such an exposure after-hours, call Hanover County Animal Control at 804-365-6140.

"Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease carried by mammals that is endemic to the area," health officials said.

The VDH shared the following three essential tips to prevent rabies:

• Vaccinate all of your pets.
• Enjoy wildlife from a distance. Do not feed wild animals like raccoons, skunks or foxes, and do not encourage them to visit your home.
• Report all exposures to your doctor and to your local health department.