Rabies Alert Issued for Southampton County, Virginia

VA Dept of Health Newsroom

Published February 17th, 2026

Detected February 18th, 2026

Summary

The Southampton County Health Department has issued a public health alert after a skunk tested positive for rabies. Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets, including ensuring vaccinations and avoiding contact with wild animals.

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What changed

The Southampton County Health Department has confirmed a skunk tested positive for rabies in Courtland, Virginia. This notice serves as a public health alert to residents, emphasizing the high-risk nature of skunks for rabies transmission and the critical importance of prompt medical treatment following any animal bite or scratch. The alert highlights that rabies is preventable with timely vaccination and treatment, but fatal once symptoms appear.

Residents are advised to contact local animal control or the health department if their pets have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, to seek immediate medical attention for any animal bites, to ensure all pets are vaccinated against rabies, and to avoid approaching wild or stray animals. The notice also reminds the public that state law mandates rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats over four months old.

What to do next

Ensure all pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) have current rabies vaccinations.
Seek prompt medical treatment for any animal bite or scratch.
Avoid approaching wild or stray animals, especially known high-risk species.

Source document (simplified)

February 17, 2026

Media Contact: Brandon Applewhite, Environmental Health Supervisor,
757-653-3040

Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies in Southampton County

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, Va. – The Southampton County Health Department is alerting the public that a skunk tested positive for rabies. The skunk was taken from the 2200 block of Story Station Road in Courtland. Health officials consider skunks high-risk animals for rabies.

Rabies is a fatal disease, but it can be prevented. The most common way people are exposed to rabies is when an infected animal bites or scratches them. The infected animal’s saliva enters the body through an open wound or mucous membrane. Prompt evaluation and complete treatment is critical. Unfortunately, there is no cure for rabies. Without preventive treatment, by the time someone develops symptoms of rabies, the disease is fatal in almost 100% of cases. The disease is also fatal in infected domestic dogs and cats that have not been vaccinated. Rabies is highly preventable if vaccine is given early.

Angela Tillery, health director for the Western Tidewater Health District, strongly recommends Southampton County residents protect their families and their pets from rabies.

If your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact Southampton County Animal Control at (757) 653-2100 or the Southampton County Health Department at (757) 653-3040.
Seek prompt medical treatment for any animal bite to ensure timely evaluation and treatment. All animal exposures must be taken seriously.
Do not approach wild or stray animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, cats and dogs.
Ensure all pet dogs, cats and ferrets have current rabies vaccinations. Please consult your veterinarian, Southampton County Animal Control, or the Southampton County Health Department if you have any questions about pet vaccinations.
Confine your pets to your property.
Securely seal garbage containers with lids.
State law requires all dogs and cats over the age of four months to be vaccinated, against rabies. For more information on rabies, contact the Southampton County Health Department at (757) 653-3040, Southampton County Animal Control at (757) 653-2100, or visit the Virginia Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last Updated: February 17, 2026