Frederick County health officials discuss rabies risks after beaver attack

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Health officials are reminding residents and visitors to avoid contact with wildlife and seek medical attention after any animal bite following a confirmed rabies case involving a beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park.

The swimming area at the park remains closed after a teenager was bitten while swimming. The beaver later tested positive for rabies.

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In an interview with 7News, Alicia Evangelista of the Frederick County Health Department said rabies is present in wildlife throughout Maryland and the United States, making awareness and prevention critical.

She said raccoons are the animal most commonly found to carry rabies in Frederick County, while rabid beavers are rare. The county’s last confirmed rabid beaver was identified in 2009.

According to Evangelista, Frederick County has confirmed 13 rabies cases so far this year, including the beaver involved in the recent attack. She said the county recorded about 36 positive cases last year, noting that annual totals can fluctuate.

Health officials said the increased number of people spending time outdoors during the summer can lead to more interactions with wildlife.

Evangelista advised anyone bitten by a wild animal to seek medical care immediately. If possible, the animal should be identified so it can be tested for rabies, helping determine whether post-exposure treatment is necessary.

She said people should still contact a medical provider if the animal cannot be identified or escapes.

Evangelista noted that rabies treatment has improved over the years, with updated post-exposure recommendations adopted in 2010 that reduced the standard number of vaccine doses to four, or five for some immunocompromised patients.

She also cautioned that infected animals do not always display obvious symptoms. While some may become aggressive, others can appear unusually calm or even friendly.

“There’s not just one sign that says, ‘Hey, I have rabies,'” Evangelista said.

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She encouraged people to keep their distance from wildlife, report sick animals to local authorities and ensure pets remain vaccinated against rabies.

Officials said anyone with questions about a possible rabies exposure should contact their health care provider or local health department.