The Fairfax County Health Department has issued a rabies alert for the area near Poplar Ford Park in Centreville after a rabid kitten was found near the park entrance on Bull Run Post Office Road.
Anyone who was touched, bitten, or scratched by a domestic shorthair orange tabby male, which was about 5 weeks old, between May 12 to May 15 is asked to call the Fairfax County Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-2433, TTY 711.
The department noted in a news release issued Monday (June 1) that when vaccinations are provided in time, rabies treatment is 100% effective in preventing the disease — which is also 100% fatal if left untreated.
In Fairfax County, the health department typically records 40 to 60 cases of rabies every year, FFXnow reported last year, after a sick kitten was found attacking people and pets in Belle Haven.
According to the health department, 13 animals have been diagnosed with rabies this year in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Health Department says residents can protect themselves from rabies in the following ways:
- 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’s 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.
