2nd Rabid Raccoon Found In A Month: Prince George's Health Officials

COLLEGE PARK, MD — A rabid raccoon was found in College Park for the second time in a month, Prince George’s County officials said, warning residents who may have been exposed to the animal to contact the health department.

The sick animal was spotted less than half a mile away from where a rabid raccoon was captured by health officials early in April. The latest raccoon was located in the 9500 block of 50th Place on April 23 between 1 and 1:30 p.m. and looked “very ill and weak,” according to the Prince George’s County Health Department.

Two days later, it tested positive for rabies, Maryland’s health department confirmed.

Health officials ask residents who might have been in contact with the raccoon, or who know someone who was possibly in contact, from April 13-23 to call the county health department at 301-583-3751.

“Rabies is a life-threatening disease that is prevented by starting post-exposure treatment as soon as possible,” said Dr. Matthew D. Levy, Prince George’s County health officer, in a news release. “The best way to prevent exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and ensure household pets are vaccinated for rabies.”

In the earlier case, a sick raccoon that turned up in the 5200 block of Iroquois Street on April 11 later tested positive for rabies, WTOP reported. In February, health officials also found a rabid raccoon in Hyattsville.

People or animals can get rabies through an infected animal’s saliva, typically from a bite or scratch, according to Prince George’s County health officials.

If exposed to a rabid animal, officials recommend you get four doses of the rabies vaccine within a 14-day period to prevent the disease.

About 900 Maryland residents are treated to prevent rabies each year after being exposed to a rabid animal, or an animal that’s possibly rabid, health officials said.

Check out Maryland’s health department’s website for information about how to respond after rabies exposure.