JAMES CITY COUNTY — The Peninsula Health District notified Williamsburg and James City County residents that a skunk found in the 3000 Block of Forge Road and Route 60 has tested positive for the rabies virus.
Rabies is a fatal, but preventable, disease that is carried by mammals and has been in the wild animal population on the Peninsula since the mid-1980s.
The local office of Environmental Health Services will be contacting immediate neighbors, as well as any civic or homeowner’s association that serves the community.
Anyone with information regarding any exposure to this animal — either a bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, mouth — should contact the Peninsula Health District – Newport News Environmental Health Office at 757-594-7340.
Exposures also include direct contact between a pet and the rabid animal. Pet owners may also contact JCC Animal Control, 757-565-0370 (daytime) or 757-253-1800 (evenings, weekends, holidays).
The Peninsula Health District reminds all citizens to follow these three important rabies prevention guidelines:
- Vaccinate pets.
- Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health department.
- Enjoy wildlife from a distance — don’t feed or encourage wild animals such as raccoons, skunks or foxes to visit your premises.
