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If You’ve Been
Bitten 
DON’T PANIC… but
don’t ignore the bite, either. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and lots of water.
Washing thoroughly will greatly lessen the chance of infection. Give first aid as you
would for any wound.
If possible, capture the animal under a large box or can, or at least identify it
before it runs away. DON'T try to pick the animal up. Call an animal control or law
enforcement officer to come and get it.
If it’s a wild animal that must be killed, don’t damage the head. The brain
will be needed to test for rabies. Don’t let anyone destroy wild animals at random
just because there maybe a rabies outbreak in your area. Only a few wild animals will be
carrying rabies.
It’s critically important that you notify your family doctor immediately after an
animal bite. Your doctor can find out if the animal has been captured. If necessary, your
doctor will give the anti-rabies treatment recommended by the United States Public Health
Service. Your doctor will also treat you for other possible infections that could be
caused from the bite.
Report the bite to the Animal Control Bureau at 890-3621 and the local health department. In Williamsburg 253-4813 and all
other areas on the Virginia lower Peninsula at 594-7340
Source: Virginia
Department of Health, Office of Epidemiology and the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Animal
Control Bureau
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