Rabid raccoon found at Luria Park

A rabid raccoon who has been chasing people and pets in Luria Park has been confirmed to have rabies, the Fairfax County Health Department reported Oct. 27. 

Anyone who has been in contact with the animal – or whose pet might have been exposed to rabies – should contact the Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-6004.

Luria Park is located at 7624 Holmes Run Drive in the Falls Church area of Mason District. 

To date, 18 animals have been diagnosed with rabies in Fairfax County in 2021.

Animals with rabies act normally during the early stages of the disease, making it difficult to know if the animal is infected, the Health Department states. 

As the disease progresses, animals often show changes in behavior. For example, wild animals may act docile and domestic animals may become aggressive. Rabid animals may stagger, drool, or become paralyzed. 

If bitten or scratched by an animal that might have rabies, the Health Department advises washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seeking medical attention right away. 

Vaccination treatments are 100 percent effective in preventing the disease. But if not treated, rabies is 100 percent fatal.

To reduce the threat of rabies, the Health Department offers this advice: 

• Don’t allow pets to roam unattended.
• Do not adopt or feed wild or stray animals.
• Seal openings in your house to keep out wildlife.
• Report animal bites, animals acting strangely, and altercations between wild and domestic animals to Fairfax County’s Animal Protection Police, 703-691-2131.