Maryland Officials Shut Down State Park After 2 Beaver Attacks

Key Points:

• Two recent beaver attacks on humans at Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland have raised concerns about a possible rabies outbreak among local beavers, prompting park closures and increased surveillance.
• On July 26, a 13-year-old boy was bitten by a beaver at Hunting Creek Lake and later airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital; the beaver tested positive for rabies after being euthanized.
• A second attack occurred on Wednesday when a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the ankle; he received medical treatment including rabies prophylaxis, and additional park areas have been closed as a precaution.
• Beaver attacks on humans are rare and typically linked to rabies, which causes erratic and aggressive behavior in infected animals; officials are actively removing beavers from the park and advising visitors to keep a safe distance.
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges anyone who has recently contacted a beaver to notify local health authorities and emphasizes that water activities remain prohibited in affected areas until safety is confirmed.