The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is warning of rabies concerns in Pittsylvania County. In order to protect the health of residents and visitors, the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is issuing a notice about a raccoon testing positive for rabies in the area of the 500 block of Iris Lane. This location is within Pittsylvania County, just outside of the city of Danville.

The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District asks anyone who may have come into contact with the raccoon to call the health district at 434-433-3545. Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Rabies can be prevented in cats, dogs, ferrets and some livestock with a rabies vaccination. Rabies kills almost any mammal or human that gets sick from it. The rabies virus is mainly in the saliva and brain tissue of rabid animals. It can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound or in the eye or mouth.

To protect pets and their owners from rabies, Virginia law requires that all dogs and cats four months of age and older be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian, and that vaccinations be kept current.

The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is reminding the public to avoid contact with bats, feral cats, stray dogs and wild animals, particularly in the area where the rabid raccoon was found.