FARMVILLE – Werewolves are a figment of the imagination.

Wolfman is nothing without Lon Chaney.

The creature from the black lagoon isn't real.

And the crab people are simply silly science fiction.

But rabies?

There are things in the woods, and your own backyard, that can kill with a single bite.

Any beast, wild or domestic, with rabies.

With hunting season fast approaching, it's good to remember there were a total of 21 confirmed cases of rabies in wild animals in the Piedmont Health District last year.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system of mammals and kills almost any animal or human that gets sick from it.

The virus is mainly in the saliva and brain of rabid animals and can be transmitted through a bite or by getting saliva or brain tissue in a wound. It is rarely transmitted by getting the virus in the eye or mouth.

The 21 confirmed cases of rabies in wild animals included 11 skunks, seven raccoons, two bats and a fox, according to Ed Dunn, Environmental Health Manager for the district.

There were no reported cases of rabies in domestic animals last year in the health district, which includes the local health departments in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward.

Charlotte County reported the most cases-11 out of the 21.

The Health Department is responsible for investigating all animal bites to humans and incidents between domestic and wild animals that are reported and works closely with the local Animal Control Officers to ensure that all are investigated and followed up. There were a total of 273 incidents reported and 196 human victims of animal bites in the District in 2009. Fourteen of those persons had to undergo the rabies prophylaxis regimen of injections due to their contact with a proven or suspected (unable to test) rabid animal.

“The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of animals sick with the virus, so any animal bite should be taken very seriously,” stressed Dunn. “If an animal bites you, wash the wound immediately. Also call your physician and local health department or animal control agency immediately.”

Likewise, if your pet is bitten by a wild animal, contact your veterinarian and local health department immediately. Dunn also states that anyone shooting a suspected rabid animal must avoid shooting the animal in the head. “The brain is the part that must be tested in order to confirm rabies,” he said.

The Piedmont Health District strongly advises that people take the following steps to prevent their families and pets from being exposed to rabies:

Vaccinate all cats, dogs, and ferrets against rabies and keep them up to date.

Also consider vaccinating horses and livestock.

Avoid contact with wild animals or stray cats and dogs.

Do not feed wild animals or stray cats and dogs.

Report stray animals to your local animal control agency.

Eliminate outdoor food sources around the home.

Keep pets confined to your property or walk them on a leash.

The single most important thing people can do to prevent rabies is to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date. State law requires that all dogs and cats over the age of four months be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccines can be given as early as three months and one product is approved for kittens at eight weeks. Rabies vaccination for horses and livestock are also recommended.

For more information on rabies, log onto the Virginia Department of Health's Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/DEE/Rabies/ or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site at www.cdc.gov/rabies/ or call your local Health Department.