Alexandria Health Department (AHD) is notifying Alexandria community members that a fox from the Rosemont area tested positive for rabies. 

On November 9, a fox came into contact with a dog and a person near a home in Alexandria’s Rosemont area. The fox is dead, but testing revealed it had rabies. Alexandria Health Department is working with the exposed person and the owner of the exposed dog on safe next steps, but there is an increased risk of rabies exposures in the community.

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. 

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 the 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.

For more information and links to other recent rabies alerts, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Rabies.