3rd Rabid Raccoon Found In College Park In 2 Months: Prince George's Health Official

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A dead raccoon found in the Hollywood West neighborhood of College Park has tested positive for rabies. Residents are encouraged to contact the county health department if they or a pet had contact with the raccoon.

Two other rabid raccoons were found in College Park on April 23 and April 11. In February, health officials also found a rabid raccoon in Hyattsville.

The raccoon had been spotted at several locations in the neighborhood between May 6-8 and displayed strange behavior, officials said. It was picked up May 8 in the 9600 block of 49th Avenue by College Park Animal Control and the Maryland Department of Health has confirmed that the raccoon tested positive for rabies May 10.

If you know of anyone or any animals that may have had contact with a raccoon in this area between April 27 and May 8, contact the county health department immediately at 301-583-3751.

“While it is not uncommon to see higher levels of activity among wildlife at this time of year, we continue to work with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and city of College Park to explore solutions to the prevention of rabies in the racoon population of College Park,” said Matthew D. Levy, Prince George’s County Health Officer. “Rabies is a life-threatening disease that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Rabies can be prevented after an exposure by starting preventive treatment as soon as possible. The best way to prevent exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and ensure household pets are vaccinated for rabies. Community members should report unusual animal behavior and avoid handling or feeding unknown animals in their community.”

When a person is bitten or exposed to the saliva of a rabid animal, the disease is prevented by administering four doses of rabies vaccine over a 14-day period with a dose of rabies immunoglobulin given at the beginning of treatment.

Each year, approximately 900 Marylanders receive preventive treatment after exposure to a rabid or potentially rabid animal.

To prevent exposure to rabies:

• Do not approach, handle or feed stray dogs and cats, and enforce and follow leash laws.
• Teach your children to stay away from wild animals and animals they do not know.
• Vaccinate dogs, cats and ferrets against rabies and keep the vaccinations up to date.
• Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
• Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside as this can attract wild and stray animals.
• Wear gloves when handling an animal that has been in a fight with another animal. Keep it away from people and other animals and call your veterinarian or local health department to report the animal exposure.
• Use window screens and chimney caps and close any openings greater than ¼ inch by ½ inch to prevent bats from entering your home. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.

If you are bitten by or exposed to an animal, you should take the following steps:

• If it is a wild animal, try to trap it if you can do so safely. If the animal must be killed, try not to damage the head.
• If it is an owned animal, get the animal owner's name, address and telephone number.
• Report exposures to your local animal control agency, health department or police.
• Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water; if available, use a disinfectant to flush the wound.
• Get prompt medical attention.
• Consider treatment if a bat was present and exposure cannot be reasonably ruled out (e.g.: a sleeping person awakens to find a bat in the room or an adult sees a bat in the room with an unattended child, person with an intellectual disability or intoxicated person).