Rabies Alert Issued For Anne Arundel Residents

ANNAPOLIS, MD — County health officials are warning residents that a raccoon found Dec. 10 in the Annapolis area has tested positive for rabies.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is seeking anyone who may have come in contact with the raccoon on Melvin Road, off Ferry Point Road in Annapolis.

If you or your pet had contact with this infected animal, or your pet has unexplained wounds, authorities urge you to contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 410-222-7254 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 443-481-3140 after business hours.

Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. It is also spread when an infected animal’s saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal, according to a news release.

Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal.

Rabies is a fatal disease, and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible.

The Department of Health advises county residents to take these precautions 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. Do not feed or pet wildlife or stray animals.
• If bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, and seek medical attention.

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 to 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 you can contact Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control during business hours at 410-222-8900 or after hours dial 911 and ask for the on-call officer.

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