On Saturday January 30, a raccoon was reported in the area of the 6900 block Williamsburg Boulevard in Arlington, VA, 22213, in the East Falls Church neighborhood. This animal was showing signs of neurological symptoms and was caught and removed by Animal Control after potentially having contact with a pet. The raccoon tested clinically positive for rabies.
Rabies is a disease that people and animals can catch from the bite or scratch of infected animals. It is fatal if medical care is not given promptly.
Since late November 2020, Arlington County Animal Control has removed multiple raccoons from the Donaldson Run community. These animals were showing neurological symptoms consistent with rabies. On February 2, Animal Control responded to the 2600 block of Military Road and removed a raccoon that was also showing neurological symptoms consistent with rabies. There were no exposures to this raccoon.
If you or your pet may have come into contact with any wild animals including bats or raccoons, please call Arlington County Animal Control at 703-931-9241 immediately, after hours please stay on the line to speak with the answering service who will alert an Officer.
If you see a raccoon that appears sick, lethargic, disoriented, or aggressive, do NOT approach the animal and please call Animal Control immediately: 703-931-9241.