Health officials in Pittsylvania County are warning about a rabies. A skunk found recently in the Deerview Road area of Gretna tested positive for the disease.
People in the area should keep an eye on their animals, as they may have come in contact with the infected skunk.
Below is the full message from the Pittsylvania/Danville and Southside Health Districts:
To all residents of Deerview Road, Pittsylvania County, Virginia
A Skunk in your neighborhood recently tested positive for Rabies. Rabies is a deadly disease
caused by a virus that lives in the saliva and brain and nerve tissue of the infected animal.
Rabies is transmitted through a scratch, bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in an open
wound or in the eye or mouth. Rabies is preventable in animals through vaccinations, but
fatal to both animals and humans once contracted.
It is possible that this rabid Skunk could have come in contact with other neighborhood
animals (i.e., cats, dogs, horses).
Unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets, with no known exposure to a potentially rabid animal
should be vaccinated immediately. The Code of Virginia requires pet owners to keep their
pets current on rabies vaccinations for animals four months old or older.
In addition, citizens should not approach or touch wild animals, and should report any
abnormal behavior involving wild animals.
Residents are asked to observe their vaccinated dogs and other pets for the next 45 days
for signs and symptoms of rabies, including a change in behavior, excitability, irritability,
staggering, or biting.
To prevent the spread of rabies, everyone should:
AVOID contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know
VACCINATE all your dogs, cats and ferrets and keep their vaccinations current.
CALL your doctor and the local health department if you are exposed, or your
veterinarian and local animal control if your pet is exposed.
For more information please contact Danville / Pittsylvania Health Department
Pittsylvania County Health Department at (434) 432-7232 ext. 260
