Cat With Rabies Attacks 3 People In Springfield: Report

SPRINGFIELD, VA—The Fairfax County Health Department has cautioned residents about a cat with rabies after it attacked three people in Springfield Wednesday.

Police caught the animal in the 800 block of O’Dell Street and took it to the Fairfax County Public Health Laboratory for rabies testing Thursday morning. The test confirmed rabies.

The cat may have came in contact with other people or pets from Aug. 6-15. It is described as an orange-colored male tabby without a collar. The cat shows aggression and moved with a slow gait.

Rabies is a disease that can infect wildlife and domestic animals. People can get rabies through a bite or scratch from an infected animal or when saliva enters an open wound, nose or eyes.

Early symptoms of rabies include fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. As the virus progresses, insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation and difficulty swallowing could appear. Rabies is treatable if vaccinations happen in time, but it can be fatal if left untreated. Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately.

Pets exposed to rabies may behave normally at first but could become aggressive as the disease progresses. Pet owners are asked to keep their animals up to date on rabies vaccinations and keep them away from wild animals.

So far this year, 16 animals have been diagnosed with rabies in Fairfax County. None of the cases happened in the area of the county where the rabid cat was found.

Anyone believed to have come in contact with the rabid cat should call the Fairfax County Health Department Rabies Program at 703-246-2433, TTY 711. To report any animal bite, animals behaving strangely or fights between domestic and wild animals to Animal Protection Police at 703-691-2131.

Find more information about rabies from the Fairfax County Health Department.

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