What Wild Animals Get Rabies?
West Virginia has about 100 cases of animal rabies per year. The most common rabid animals are raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. Other wild mammals such as bears, bobcats, groundhogs and coyotes sometimes test positive for rabies. See Cats, Dogs, And Rabies for information about domesticated/pet rabies.

What Should I Teach My Child About Wild Animals and Rabies?
In West Virginia, most cases of rabies occur in wild meat-eating mammals: raccoons, skunks and foxes. However, some bats do become infected with rabies. Teach your child:

• Not to touch, chase, or approach wild animals.
• If they find one nearby or in a tent or building make sure they know to not get near or touch it. Your child should tell friends to stay away as well and go get an adult.
• Your child should tell an adult immediately if bitten by an animal or if unsure if a he or she was bitten (e.g. had a bat landed on him or her,etc.)