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Rabid Beavers Attack Visitors at State Park
thedailybeast.com • • health
Key Points:
- Two rabid beavers attacked visitors at Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland within two weeks, leading officials to close all water access at the park.
- A 13-year-old boy was injured while swimming on July 26 and airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital, and a 19-year-old man was bitten while fishing and treated for rabies exposure.
- Both beavers were captured, euthanized, and tested positive for rabies, prompting concerns about a “human health emergency” from local animal control officials.
- Rabies infections in beavers are extremely rare, but timely treatment is nearly 100% effective in preventing fatal outcomes according to infectious disease experts.
- Frederick County had 38 rabies-positive animals last year, though none were beavers, highlighting the unusual nature of these recent incidents.
