Kids Might Have Been In Contact With Rabid Animal

EDGEWOOD, MD — On Friday, Harford County Health Department officials received test results from the Maryland Department of Health that an opossum found in the Edgewood area tested "unsatisfactory" for the rabies virus.

Although this opossum was found near the 700 block of Rainbow Court in Edgewood, it may have exposed other individuals or pets in the surrounding area to the rabies virus.

"Unsatisfactory in this case meant that the sample was too decomposed to run analysis on," Ronya Nassar, public information officer for the county health department, told Patch.

Health officials stated that an unidentified group of children, aged approximately 8 to 12 years old, from the neighborhood near the 700 block of Rainbow Court in Edgewood, may have had contact with the opossum on or about March 11.

"Because there were children observed having possible contact with this opossum, we wanted to make sure their parents were made aware. While it is not common, several opossums have tested positive in Maryland previously," Nassar said.

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

"Witnessing an opossum is not cause for alarm, but if you or your pets have had contact with a opossum in this area, please contact the Harford County Health Department at 410-877-2300 for follow up," the department stated.

Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal. Rabies is a fatal disease, and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible.