News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Wednesday, January 22, 1997
Contact:	Robert Pritchett, Alexandria Department of Health, 703-838-4880 (ext.254); Kate Pullen, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, 703-838-4861

Rabies Alert Issued to Pet Owners in Alexandria (Prepared by Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Health Department and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria today issued an alert to pet owners in the City urging them to ensure that their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up to date. The alert is prompted by a confirmed case of rabies in a feral cat.
On Thursday morning, January 16, residents of the 1800 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue observed what they believed was a feral cat exhibiting signs of rabies, including an unsteady gait, head tilting, convulsing, and lethargy. The diagnosis was later confirmed by laboratory tests ordered by the Virginia Department of Health.

Confirmed cases of rabies in cats and dogs are seldom encountered in Alexandria. Within the City, the animal populations most vulnerable to this highly contagious disease are unvaccinated pets that spend time outdoors and wild or feral cats. As a result of the confirmed case of rabies, representatives from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will be distributing information materials to Mt. Vernon Avenue area residents on how to protect both domestic pets and people from exposure to rabies. The Alexandria Health Department and Animal Welfare League of Alexandria will also be closely monitoring feral cat colonies in the Mt. Vernon Avenue area.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The virus is spread from an infected animal to humans and other animals through a bite or by saliva entering an open wound, the eyes, nose or mouth. Raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats are the major contributors to local rabies cases. The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria stresses that it is normal to see wildlife in the City and citizens should only become concerned about urbanized wild animals if they observe behaviors that include: staggering, lethargy, or aggression.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria urges citizens of Alexandria to do the following to avoid exposure to rabies:


Vaccinate your pets regularly;
Avoid contact with animals that are acting strangely (call your local Animal Control Agency);
Teach children to avoid wild/stray animals (report them to your local Animal Control Agency);
Report all bites or scratches to your local Animal Control Agency;
Avoid contact with dead animals;
Take precautions with domestic animals: keep dogs on a leash and cats confined to the home/yard.
If you are bitten:
Do not panic;
Wash the wound with soap and water and contact your physician;
Call your local Animal Control Agency to capture the animal.
Local Animal Control Agencies:
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 703-838-4775
Animal Welfare League of Arlington 703-931-9241
Fairfax County Animal Control 703-830-3310
Coincidentally, the week of January 20, 1997 has been designated as Rabies Awareness Week. The Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association are sponsoring the week to raise awareness of rabies and to encourage pet owners, especially owners of cats, to vaccinate their pets against rabies.

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