THURMONT, Md. (WBFF) — A beaver that bit a teenager while he was swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park has tested positive for rabies, prompting officials to keep the park’s swimming area closed as crews work to make sure the area is safe.
On Sunday, July 26, around 9:00 a.m., a teenager was bitten by a beaver while swimming in the designated swimming area at Cunningham Falls State Park’s William Houck Area. The incident led officials to close the swimming beach while crews searched for the animal.
The Frederick County Health Department said it was notified Monday, July 27, by the Maryland Department of Health that a beaver collected from the park tested positive for the rabies virus.
Frederick County Animal Control was contacted and picked up a beaver later Sunday from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Officials said swimming is prohibited until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors, a process expected to take several days.
People who may have had contact with the beaver or any other wildlife are urged to consult their health care provider and notify the Frederick County Health Department’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342. For pets or livestock, officials said to consult a veterinarian and notify the health department’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.
Barry Glotfelty, director for the health department’s Environmental Health Services, advised: “Mammals can be infected with the rabies virus, therefore do not touch or play with unknown animals. If you or your pets have contact with a wild animal contact the local authorities listed in this release.”
Rabies is a viral disease that mainly infects mammals and is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually by a bite. The health department said symptoms in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and other atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans if infected without prompt post-exposure treatment, officials said.
In Frederick County, officials said anyone who has contact with a stray or wild animal should report it to Animal Control at 301-600-1544.
Additional rabies information is posted at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Rabies.
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