News Flash

May 15, 2020 - The Health Department announced a confirmed case of rabies in a stray cat that was found on Glascow Way in Scotland Square area of the city.  The cat was described as a domestic short hair dilute calico that bit at least one person.

Gary Hagy, Environmental Health Manager, urges all citizens to make sure that their pets have current rabies shots. He also advises residents to not feed wild animals or leave food outside for their pets that may attract wild animals. Finally, all contact with wild or stray animals should be avoided. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately wash the wound thoroughly and contact your physician or the Health Department for further advice. If a citizen sees a sickly animal, particularly a raccoon, they should call the Hampton Animal Response Team at 727-6111 and advise them of its location so they can pick up the animal. Anyone needing additional information may call the Health Department at 727-2570.

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April 27, 2020 - Within the last two weeks, the Hampton Health Department has received several reports of household pets encountering wildlife that are high risk for having rabies. Additionally, since April 1, two raccoons in Hampton tested positive for rabies.

Most exposures involving wildlife occur because owners don’t scan their property before they let their pets out. The Hampton Animal Response Team recommends that citizens monitor their pets while they are outside, never leaving them unattended. Whether your property is fenced in or not, monitoring your pets reduces the chances of an attack from other domestic animals that may be stray, as well as wildlife.  With spring here, many newborn wild animals have made their way on our properties.

Remember that rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is almost always fatal. A rabies vaccine can prevent your cat, dog or ferret from getting the disease.