Animal Bites / Rabies
Any mammal can get rabies. People and animals who may have been exposed to rabies through a bite or non-bite contact with an animal should seek medical evaluation.
If you are bitten by an animal:
- Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water.
- Seek medical attention for the wound to help prevent and control infection such as tetanus as well as rabies. Local emergency departments, such as those at Inova Loudoun (Lansdowne/Cornwall/Ashburn) or Stone Springs hospitals, can provide care and possible post-exposure rabies vaccination to people with potential animal exposures.
Most people know when they have been bitten by a bat, but there are situations in which you should seek medical advice even in the absence of an obvious bite wound. For example, if you wake up to find a bat in your room, see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, do not destroy or discard the bat.
- Report the animal bite incident to Loudoun County. Complete the Form to Report Animal Bites (PDF) or call us:
- Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 (24/7/365); or
- Loudoun County Health Department at 703-777-0234 (8:30am-5:00pm) or 571-237-5091 after hours/weekends/holidays
If your pet bites a person:
All domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and ferrets that have potentially exposed a person to rabies must be observed for 10 days following the exposure incident. The Loudoun County Health Department will work with the owner to ensure domestic animals are confined, ideally at the owner’s home, and observed for 10 days. If the domestic animal can be confined for the 10 day confinement, post-exposure rabies vaccination is not necessary. An animal that has died and potentially exposed a person or other pet, will be tested for rabies. See Owner 10-day Confinement Guidelines.
If your pet or domestic animal is bitten by an animal:
- Seek medical care for your injured pet/domestic animal.
- Report all bites or physical contact to domestic animals by wildlife or an animal suspected of having rabies to Loudoun County: Call us:
- Loudoun County Department of Animal Services at 703-777-0406 (24/7/365); or
- Loudoun County Health Department at 703 777-0234 (8:30am-5:00pm) or 571-237-5091 after hours/weekends/holidays
While any mammal can get rabies, the rabies virus is most commonly found in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, groundhogs, opossums, and bats. The rabies virus is in the saliva and the brain of rabid animals. The most common way rabies is transmitted is through the bite of an infected mammal. Rarely, rabies can be transmitted by getting saliva or brain tissue in the eyes, nose, mouth, or in an open wound. Animals that are ill with rabies may have signs including abnormal behavior, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, poor balance, paralysis and seizures.
Rabies Vaccinations for Dogs and Cats
The Department of Animal Services urges all cat and dog owners to have their pets properly vaccinated in accordance with state and county codes. Find out more, specifically if you are interested in low cost vaccinations.
If you are interested in applying for an exemption from rabies vaccination requirements, review the details in the Rabies Vaccination Exemption Application.
Rabies Vaccinations for People
Pre-exposure rabies vaccinations for humans who must be protected against rabies, such as veterinary staff, or who may potentially be exposed to rabies, are coordinated by the Loudoun County Health Department. Contact Loudoun County Health Department Patient Care Services by calling 703-777-0236.