Rabid Raccoon Found In Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anyone who may have come in contact with a raccoon seen near the intersection of Broadneck Road and Middletown Road in the Whispering Woods community is asked to contact the Anne Arundel County Health Department. The raccoon has tested positive for rabies.

Authorities found the raccoon Oct. 9. Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon 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.

If anyone's pet may have come into contact with the raccoon or has unexplained wounds, please contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at 410-222-7256 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 443-481-3140 after business hours.

Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the raccoon. Rabies is a fatal disease and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible. Health department officials remind county residents not to feed wild or stray animals or leave food dishes outside. Pet owners should also keep their animals’ rabies vaccinations current.