Teenager swimming in Maryland lake bitten by rabid beaver
WTOP • • health
Key Points:
- A teenager swimming in Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland, was bitten by a beaver that later tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to close the swimming area at Hunting Creek Lake until safety can be confirmed.
- The Maryland Department of Health informed local authorities about the rabies-positive beaver, and animal control removed the beaver from the park on the same day as the incident.
- Officials warn against contact with unknown wild animals and advise anyone exposed to this beaver or other wildlife to contact their doctor and local health services immediately for potential post-exposure treatment.
- Rabies is a fatal viral disease primarily spread through the saliva of infected mammals, typically via bites, with symptoms in animals including unusual behavior and excessive salivation.
- Pet owners are urged to contact their veterinarians and local environmental health offices if their animals may have been exposed to wildlife, emphasizing the importance of prompt action to prevent the disease.
