Rabies case confirmed in Henrico after incident involving 3 dogs, raccoon

Henrico receives $275K opioid abatement grant for faith-based education program

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Henrico County has reported its fourth confirmed rabies case in 2026 after an incident involving dogs and a raccoon. The county will also receive $275,000 in state funding to launch a faith-based opioid education and prevention initiative as part of a broader effort by the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority to combat substance use disorders statewide.

Why it matters

Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with infected animals. The confirmed case in Henrico highlights the importance of pet owners being vigilant about vaccinating their animals and avoiding contact with wild animals. The opioid education grant is part of a broader effort to address the ongoing opioid crisis in Virginia, which has had a significant impact on communities across the state.

The details

The rabies case in Henrico involved an incident with three dogs and a raccoon. Details about the specific incident are limited, but the county has reported a total of four confirmed rabies cases so far in 2026. The $275,000 opioid education grant will allow Henrico to launch a faith-based initiative to provide education and prevention resources related to substance use disorders.

  • Henrico County has reported its fourth confirmed rabies case in 2026.

The players

Henrico County

A county located in the U.S. state of Virginia, just north of the state capital of Richmond.

Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority

A state-level organization in Virginia that is working to combat the opioid crisis through various initiatives and grant programs.

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The takeaway

The rabies case in Henrico highlights the ongoing need for pet owners to keep their animals vaccinated and avoid contact with wild animals. The opioid education grant is a positive step in Henrico's efforts to address the substance use crisis, which has had a significant impact on communities across Virginia.