Mayor Justin Wilson, City Of Alexandria | City Of Alexandria website
Mayor Justin Wilson, City Of Alexandria | City Of Alexandria website
The Alexandria Health Department has issued a rabies alert following the confirmation of a rabid raccoon near Chambliss Park. The incident occurred on November 15, 2024, when the raccoon came into contact with several dogs in an Alexandria home. The raccoon was tested and found positive for rabies. Although the raccoon is deceased and the dogs are confined, there remains an elevated risk.
Residents who have had physical contact with a raccoon are advised to contact the Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during regular business hours.
To ensure safety, it is recommended not to feed or approach wild, stray, or feral animals. Pets should be kept up-to-date with vaccinations, and dogs must remain leashed in public areas and parks.
Rabies is a preventable yet deadly viral disease transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals. Symptoms in animals include unexpected aggression, excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, and abnormal behavior such as staggering or sluggishness.
Anyone observing these symptoms in animals should contact Alexandria Animal Control at 703.746.4444. Concerns about possible exposure to rabies should be directed to the Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during normal business hours.
For additional information and recent rabies alerts, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Rabies.
Media inquiries can be directed to Eve Elliott via email at eve.elliott@vdh.virginia.gov or by calling 804.467.5160.
Language interpretation services are available upon request by emailing LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or calling 703.746.3960.
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