While rabies exposures, tick-borne, and swimming-related illness can occur throughout the year, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) typically reports a greater number of each during spring and summer months.

Rabies exposures most commonly occur via a bite from an animal shedding rabies virus in its saliva, although an exposure is also considered to have occurred when saliva or brain material from a rabid animal gets into a fresh, open wound, or onto a mucous membrane (eyes, nostrils, mouth). While any mammal can become rabid, the animals considered highest risk for having transmiting rabies are wild carnivores (particularly raccoons, skunks and foxes). Bats are also considered high risk. Because bat teeth are small and their bites may be difficult to detect, it is important to be concerned about encounters with bats even if a bite is not readily apparent. Small rodents, including squirrels, and rabbits are not usually considered rabies risks unless sick or behaving abnormally. Dogs and cats that bite people can be observed for a period of time to see if they become ill, whereas there are no established observation times for wild animals.

Any possible human rabies exposure should be discussed proptly with your local health department (LHD). The LHD can evaluate the level of risk, facilitate confinement of domestic animals and testing of other animals, and assist the victim in obtaining appropriate treatment. Park management should contact the LHD during regular working hours to discuss potential exposure situations. Because rabies incidents can occur at night, on a weekend, or a holiday, we encourage park management to establish an after-hours contact plan with their LHD before these types of situations occur.

Regarding tick-borne illnesses, Virginia has seen a sharp increase in the incidence of a many tick-borne illnesses in the past five years, including: Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Tick-borne illnesses are best prevented by citizens who take proper precautions while in outdoor tick habitats, are knoledgeable about the ticks that carry disease, and understand how to safely remove a tick from the body. Ready access to educational material in state parks can help citizens learn how to avoid and prevent illnesses caused by tick bites.

Finally, unintentional injury and illness resulting from recreational water use each year. Park management can play an active role in reminding park patrons to take certain precautions before participating in recreational water activities. People can become sick by swallowing or coming into contact with contaminated waters. The most common waterborne illnesses are gastrointestinal and may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is important to remind visitors that germs on the body can end up in the water and make other people sick. To prevent illness and injury, it is best to shower with soap before swimming and wash hands after using the restroom, avoid water going up the nose or in the mouth, and pay close attention to park signs posted along the shoreline.