Animal Bites
The Prince William Health District works in cooperation with the Prince William Police Department and Animal Control Division. All animal bites involving humans must be reported to Animal Control at 703-792-6465, or to the Health District at 703-792-6310. Exposure of domestic animals to wild animals should also be reported. Wild animals that have bitten a person or pet should be euthanized and tested for rabies. Animals not apprehended should be considered rabid.

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus which eventually infects the spinal cord and brain, causing convulsions, paralysis, and eventually death. Rabies is most commonly transmitted by introducing virus-laden saliva of a rabid animal into a bite wound. It is rarely transmitted by a scratch or fresh break in the skin or through intact mucous membranes.  Airborne spread is possible, however, it is extremely rare, and usually is associated with bats. Person- to- person transfer is possible. Common carriers of rabies include raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs and cats. Rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters may have the rabies virus, but seldom are known to transmit rabies in the United States.