It attacks the central nervous system and is always fatal in those who have not had pre-exposure rabies vaccine. The virus is transmitted in the saliva of an infected animal. People and animals usually are exposed to rabies through the bite of a rabid animal.
Vaccination protects animals and people from rabies.
If a human is exposed to rabies, the individual can be treated with a series of preventive shots. However, without treatment, rabies will kill. In recent years, Fairfax County has had the highest number of cases of rabies of any county in Virginia. The large number of cases compared with other counties is an indication of Fairfax County's large human population and the consequent greater opportunity for interaction with wildlife. For a look at where rabies cases have occurred in Fairfax County in prior years, click here .