Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is notifying Alexandria community members that a raccoon from a Dora Kelley Nature Park trail tested positive for rabies. 

On October 27, 2024, a raccoon came into contact with a dog in the area near Sanger Avenue along a Dora Kelley Nature Park trail. Upon testing, the raccoon tested positive for rabies.  The raccoon is dead, and the dog is in confinement, but there is an increased risk in the area.

If you or your family member have had physical contact with a raccoon, please call the Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during normal business hours.  

How to Keep You and Your Pets Safe

Do not feed or approach any wild, stray, or feral animals, even if they appear friendly or injured. Make sure your dogs and cats are up-to-date with their vaccinations. Finally, please remember that dogs must be on leash in all public areas and parks.

About Rabies

Rabies is a preventable, deadly viral disease spread through saliva due to a bite or a scratch from an infected animal. 

Symptoms of rabies in animals include: 

• unexpected aggression from an animal that would normally avoid people, easily frighten, or run away
• extreme drooling or foaming at the mouth
• walking as if drunk or unusual sluggishness or stupor.

If you see animals exhibiting symptoms of rabies, please call Alexandria Animal Control at 703.746.4444. If you have concerns about you or your family being exposed to rabies, please call Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4910 during normal business hours. 

For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Rabies. For information on the rabies alert issued on October 25 after a rabid raccoon was discovered in the Taylor Run area, view our alert online. 

For media inquiries only, contact Eve Elliott at eve.elliott@vdh.virginia.gov or call (804) 467-5160. 

If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call (703) 746-3960.