Health Department

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administration office at 10777 Main Street in Fairfax is open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Clinic services are not offered at this location.
703-246-2411 TTY 711
10777 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
Gloria Addo-Ayensu, M.D., M.P.H.
Director of Health

Department Resources

Reporting requirements at veterinary practices for bites or potential rabies exposure.

Health Advisory

Summary

  • Veterinarians and their support staff play a crucial role in preventing the transmission of rabies to humans.
  • Fairfax County code requires that all animal bites to humans and potential animal exposure to rabies be reported immediately to the Fairfax County Animal Protection Police (APP) and/or the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD).
    • If staff at a veterinary practice are bitten by a mammal, the practice is required to report the incident, per Section 41.1-2-9 of the Fairfax County Code of Ordinances.
    • If pets present to a practice with a wound of an unknown source or a report of interacting with wildlife and are wounded, the practice is required to report the potential rabies exposure per Section 41.1-2-10 of the Fairfax County Code of Ordinances.

Suggested Actions

  • The following secure web-based form is available and meets reporting requirements for both scenarios listed above (if veterinary staff are bitten by a mammal or if a pet is witnessed or reported to be interacting with wildlife and has an unknown wound or you suspect that an animal has rabies): Rabies Exposure & PEP Administration Report Form, which also can be found at the FCHD website.
    • Please be sure to include the owner’s email address in the report. This is important for clearance after the pet has completed a 10-day confinement.
  • After submitting the Rabies Exposure & PEP Administration Report Form, please provide follow-up information requested by APP and/or FCHD as promptly as possible so that investigations can be completed in a timely fashion.
  • Veterinary staff should educate pet owners on bite and rabies prevention. Two flyers are attached to this Health Advisory which can be shared with clients to detail key points on animal confinement (flyers also can be found at the FCHD website). See: Your Pet’s 10-Day Confinement and Your Pet’s 45-Day Confinement
  • If you have any questions regarding reporting bites or pet wounds, please contact the Fairfax County Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-2433 or hdrabies@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Additional Information

  • Rabies is a serious animal and human health issue in Fairfax County. Each year, FCHD tests hundreds of animals and an average of 40 to 60 animals test positive for rabies. Raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats are the animals most commonly afflicted. However, a small number of rabid domestic cats and/or dogs are also identified.
  • Although human rabies cases are very rare, in the last two years over 650 Fairfax County residents have been recommended to receive post-exposure prophylaxis following exposures to potentially rabid animals.
  • If your practice is interested in receiving a rabies public health overview for veterinary practices, FCHD offers in-person and virtual training. Please contact the Rabies Program at 703-246-2433 or hdrabies@fairfaxcounty.gov. for more information.

Rabies Prevention

  • Pet owners should be informed of ways to avoid bites or potential rabies exposure:
    • Vaccination of companion animals is the single most important component of rabies control. For information on low-cost pet vaccines, call the Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100 or visit the Animal Shelter webpage.
    • Avoid contact with wildlife. Do not pet wildlife and keep pets from roaming free.
    • Do not feed wild or stay animals. Feed your pets inside.
    • Report strange animal behavior. Do not go near or try to capture an animal that is acting strangely. Report the animal for evaluation to the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services at 703-691-2131.
  • If a person is attacked by any mammal, individuals should take the following steps:
    • Immediately scrub the wounds with soap and running water for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • Write down a complete description of the attacking animal (including owner contact information if available) so that the animal control authorities can properly investigate and take action.
    • Contact your healthcare provider. A doctor will evaluate if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is needed.
    •  Report the animal attack using the Rabies Exposure & PEP Administration Report Form.
  • If a pet is attacked by a wild or stray animal, owners should take the following steps:
    • Do not examine the pet’s wounds without wearing gloves.
    • While wearing gloves, wash the pet’s wounds with running soap and water. Be sure to wash off all the attacking animal’s saliva.
    • Report the animal attack to the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services at 703-691-2131. If the attacking animal is available, they will confine or test it for rabies and provide you with additional information about how to watch your pet for signs of rabies.
    • Do not let the pet come into contact with other animals, pets, or people until after speaking with a member of the Fairfax County Police Department Animal Protection Services.
    • Contact a veterinarian to follow up on additional actions needed to ensure the pet’s health.

 

Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant