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Rabid cat, bat, raccoons and skunks reported in these 4 Virginia counties
WSET • • health
Key Points:
- Rabid animals, including a cat, bat, raccoons, and skunks, have been confirmed in four Virginia counties—Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, and Orange—during the first quarter of 2026.
- Specific cases include one bat and one skunk in Culpeper, three raccoons and one skunk in Fauquier, one skunk in Madison, and one cat and one skunk in Orange, with no reported human exposures.
- Rabies is common in Virginia wildlife, especially raccoons, skunks, and bats, with 117 animals statewide testing positive in the first quarter of 2026.
- Health officials advise avoiding contact with wild animals and unfamiliar pets, ensuring pets are vaccinated against rabies, and reporting any animals exhibiting unusual behavior to local animal control.
