BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts (RCAHD) have confirmed that a skunk has tested positive for rabies in the Cloverdale area.

The district says the skunk was located by the Botetourt County Animal Control unit on Grimes Street, in the southern area of Botetourt County, on Oct. 26. Officials confirmed that the skunk tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Officials issued a health alert, advising anyone who may have had contact with the skunk to call the RCAHD Environmental Health Division or Botetourt Animal Control.

To prevent the spread of rabies, the RCAHD is advising the following:

  • Avoid contact with wild animals and domestic animals you do not know.
  • Report unusual-acting animals.
  • Vaccine all of your dogs, cats, and ferrets, and keep their vaccinations current.
  • Call your doctor and the local health department if you are exposed, or your veterinarian and local animal control if your pet is exposed to an animal with rabies.

For more information, visit the RCAHD website.