Raccoon With Rabies Found In Anne Arundel County, Health Officials Offer Tips

WEST RIVER, MD — A raccoon found in Southern Anne Arundel County tested positive for rabies, health officials confirmed Tuesday.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is looking for anybody who came in contact with the rabid raccoon found on Muddy Creek Road in West River.

Rabies is a fatal disease. Preventative injections must be started as soon as possible for anybody who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal.

Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal. The disease also spreads when an infected animal's saliva touches the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal.

Common rabies carriers include groundhogs, cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks and bats.

The Department of Health offered these tips to prevent the spread of rabies:

• All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
• Do not allow your pets to run free.
• Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially feral cats, raccoons, bats, and foxes.
• If bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, seek medical attention.

If you or your pet had contact with this infected animal, or your pet has unexplained wounds, please call the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 410-222-7254 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 443-481-3140 after business hours.

Animals that appear sick or injured that have had no human or pet contact can be reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at 877-463-6497 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or the Maryland Natural Resources Police at 410-260-8888 after hours. If you or your pet have had physical contact with an animal that is sick or injured, call Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control during business hours at 410-222-8900. After hours, dial 911 and ask for the on-call officer.

For information about rabies, visit aahealth.org/rabies. To get a free fact sheet on rabies, call 410-222-7254.