Rabies

Learn more about the rabies virus, how to prevent its spread and what to do if you or your pet is bit by an animal.
Page updated on January 25, 2026 at 9:04 PM
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Report an Animal Bite

If you think you or your pet may have been exposed to rabies: 

  1. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water. Give first aid as you would for any wound.
  2. If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or try to see what kind of an animal it was. Don't try to pick the animal up.
  3. Record information about the bite:
    1. If bitten by someone else's pet, ask for the owner's contact information. Health officials may contact the owner about the pet's vaccine status, and this can save you from unnecessary treatment.
    2. If you catch the animal, call Animal Control to pick it up by calling 703.746.4444.
  4. Go to the Emergency Room. Explain how the bite happened. After your ER visit, follow up with your primary care provider. If a pet was bitten, call your veterinarian.
  5. Report the bite to the health department where you live. Alexandria Health Department is available during normal business hours at 703.746.4910.

What Happens After You Report a Bite to the Health Department

  1. Your physician and/or a state or local health department official will determine whether you need a rabies vaccine.
  2. Follow their directions to receive care. 

What is Rabies and How is It Transmitted?

Rabies virus is a fatal but preventable disease that only affects mammals. 

How It Spreads

Rabies spreads through direct contact with an infected animal through a cut/open wound or your eyes, nose, or mouth. This can happen when infected animals bite or scratch others. 

Symptoms

Rabies symptoms will not start until the virus reaches your brain. This can take weeks or months. 

Symptoms include:

  • General flu-like symptoms
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Headache lasting a few days
  • Soon after, brain issues, agitation, hallucination (seeing things), and hydrophobia (fear of water). 

Rabies is usually always fatal once symptoms have commenced. All mammals including domestic dogs and cats can be infected with rabies and pass on rabies. 

Preventing Rabies

Prevention Tips

Rabies cases among humans in this country are rare. 

To prevent rabies in humans and pets: 

  • Ensure that your pets are up-to-date with their rabies vaccine. By law, all dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.
  • Stay away from unfamiliar animals and teach children to stay away from unfamiliar animals.
  • Stay away from raccoons, bats, foxes, and skunks. They're more likley to have rabies.
  • Always keep direct supervision/control of your pets when outdoors.

Rabies Shots

Keeping your pets up-to-date on vaccines is the best way to protect them from rabies. 

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria hosts low-cost vaccine and microchip clinics for Alexandria pets. 

Register for Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics

Sometimes, people are recommended to get shots after being exposed to rabies to prevent the virus from getting into their system. These shots completely prevent rabies. 

This includes one dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and four doses of rabies vaccine administered over a two-week period. People who have been previously vaccinated should receive the rabies vaccine only. 

If you have questions about rabies vaccines, call 703.746.4910.