Another rabid cat has been identified in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Health Department is urging community members to reach out if they or a pet might’ve come into contact with the cat, which reportedly attacked “multiple” people last Thursday afternoon (March 19) in the Huntington area.
The attacks specifically occurred on North Kings Highway near Fort Lyon Court, which would place them close to the Huntington Metro station’s Kiss and Ride lot.
“During the time it was sick, the cat may have had contact with other people or pets,” the FCHD said. “The cat is described as a domestic shorthair male with solid black coloring and yellow eyes.”
The cat has now been captured and tested for rabies, meaning it had to be euthanized. Health officials say they confirmed that the cat was infected and are now looking for other people who might’ve been exposed.
“If you, someone you know, or a pet was touched, bitten, or scratched by the cat between March 5-19, 2026, you are urged to call the Fairfax County Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-2433,” the department said yesterday (Monday) in a press release.
This cat is the 11th animal diagnosed with rabies in Fairfax County so far this year, according to the FCHD.
In late November 2025, a different cat attacked multiple people and pets in the Belle Haven area. The feline was captured and confirmed to have rabies, which is a virus that can be passed to wildlife, pets and people through biting, scratching and saliva entering an open wound, mouth, nose or eyes.
More on rabies from the Fairfax County Health Department:
Animals with rabies may act normally during the early stages of the disease, making it difficult to know if the animal is infected. As the disease progresses, animals often show changes in behavior. For example, wild animals may act very docile, and domestic animals may become aggressive. Rabid animals may stagger, drool, or become paralyzed.
Here are some important steps to protect yourself and your pets from rabies:
- Protect yourself and your family from rabies: stay away from wild animals. Remember, if the animal is not your own, leave it alone! Do not adopt or feed wild or stray animals.
- Be sure pets are vaccinated against rabies every year.
- Do not allow your pets to roam unattended.
- Seal openings in your house so that wildlife cannot enter.
- Report animal bites, animals that are acting strangely (including domestic animals), or altercations between wild and domestic animals to Fairfax County Department of Animal Services at 703-691-2131, TTY 711.
If bitten or scratched by an animal that might have rabies, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention right away. When vaccinations are provided in time and appropriately, rabies treatment is 100% effective in preventing the disease. If not treated, rabies is 100% fatal.
