Rabid Raccoon In Hyattsville Prompts Warning From County Health Official

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Anyone or any animal that may have contact with a rabid raccoon found in Prince George's should call the county health department immediately at 301-583-3750.

The raccoon was found in the 5200 block of 43rd Avenue in Hyattsville and was showing “odd behavior” before being seized by animal control officers. Maryland’s health department confirmed that the raccoon tested positive for rabies and was in Hyattsville from Feb. 3 through Feb. 13.

“Rabies is a life-threatening disease that is prevented by starting post-exposure treatment as soon as possible,” Dr. Matthew D. Levy, Prince George’s County health officer, said. “The best way to prevent exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and ensure household pets are vaccinated for rabies."

Rabies is passed on through the saliva from an infected animal in the form of a bite or scratch. When a person is bitten or exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal, the disease is prevented by administering four doses of rabies vaccine during a 14-day period, with a dose of rabies immunoglobulin given at the beginning of treatment.

Each year, approximately 900 Marylanders receive preventive treatment after exposure to a rabid or potentially rabid animal, the county health department said.

According to the county health department, to prevent exposure to rabies:

• Do not approach, handle, or feed stray dogs and cats, and enforce and follow leash laws.
• Teach your children to stay away from wild animals and animals they do not know.
• Vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies and keep the vaccinations up to date.
• Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
• Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside; this may attract wild and stray animals.
• Wear gloves when handling an animal that has been in a fight with another animal. Keep it away from people and other animals and call your veterinarian or local health department to report the animal exposure.
• Use window screens and chimney caps and close any openings greater than ¼ inch by ½ inch to prevent bats from entering your home. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.

If you are bitten by or exposed to an animal, you should take the following steps:

• If it is a wild animal, try to trap it if you can do so safely. If the animal must be killed, try not to damage the head.
• If it is an owned animal, get the animal owner's name, address and telephone number.
• Report exposures to your local animal control agency, health department or police.
• Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water; if available, use a disinfectant to flush the wound.
• Get prompt medical attention.
• Consider treatment if a bat was present and exposure cannot be reasonably ruled out (e.g., a sleeping person awakens to find a bat in the room, or an adult sees a bat in the room with an unattended child, a person with an intellectual disability or intoxicated person).