Rabid skunk found in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A rabid skunk was recently found in an Orange County neighborhood, prompting Virginia health officials to remind the public to be wary of wild animals.

On Friday, April 3, the Orange County Health Department requested that a skunk found in the area of Zachary Taylor Highway and Terrys Run Road be tested for rabies, according to a press release from the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District (RRHD) of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

That test came back positive on Tuesday, April 7. In response, the Orange County Health Department "contacted all identified individuals who may have had contact with the skunk and has assessed individual needs for rabies post-exposure shots," per the release.

Health officials said all neighbors in the area where the skunk was found should receive a text notifying them of this incident by end of day on Tuesday. A map of the exposure area is included below.

"The health district encourages all residents to speak with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, including elderly and disabled contacts, about rabies and the importance of not feeding wildlife and leaving wild animals alone," RRHD said in the release.

Rabies is a deadly disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms begin to show. It can be spread through bites, scratches or contact with saliva in an open wound or in the eyes, nose or mouth.

Pet and livestock owners are strongly encouraged to keep their animals up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, as these vaccines are highly effective at preventing the spread of rabies, health officials said.

In Virginia, this isn't just a recommendation -- it's the law. All dogs and cats four months and older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian and those vaccines must be kept current.

Here’s a few more tips on how to protect yourself, your family and your pets from rabies:

• Avoid contact with stray cats, dogs, or any wild animals, and teach children to do the same
• Don’t feed strays or wild animals and don’t encourage them to visit your property
• Report any sick or stray animals to your local animal control agency
• Store garbage and pet food indoors if possible, and ensure that any outdoor containers are both secure and animal-proof
• Cap your chimneys with screens and block any openings in your attic to help keep wild animals like bats outside of your home
• Be cautious of leaving dog doors unlocked or your windows open without screens, as wildlife could find its way inside

If you think you, a loved one or a pet may have been exposed to rabies, you should immediately report the incident to your local animal control agency and your local health department. You should also contact your primary healthcare provider.

Orange residents can report animal bites or possible rabies exposures to either the Orange Environmental Health Office or Orange Animal Control. You can do so by calling 540-672-1093 or 540-672-1200, respectively.

For more information on rabies, click here.