Rabid Raccoon Found In Prince George's; Pets, People In Contact With It Should Seek Help

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A rabid raccoon was found recently in the 13100 block of Gallahan Road in Clinton. The raccoon was barely alive, according to the county health department, and had several wounds. The Maryland Department of Health confirmed that the raccoon had tested positive for rabies.

Due to the risk of rabies exposure, the county health department asks for the public’s help in finding anyone who may have had contact with the raccoon in the area where it was found. If you know of any people or animals that may have had contact with the above raccoon between March 26 and April 11, contact the county health department immediately at 301-583-3750.

“Rabies is often a life-threatening disease; however, it is highly preventable by beginning post-exposure treatment immediately following exposure. Treatment is determined by the type of animal contact and patient assessment,” Dr. Ernest Carter, Prince George’s County Health Officer, said. “Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal and is easily transmissible through a bite of an infected animal. The best method to eliminate the risk of rabies exposure is to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals. We encourage community members to report any unusual or erratic animal behavior they notice and to avoid handling and feeding any 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 and 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 your exposure to rabies:

• Do not approach, handle or feed stray dogs and cats, and enforce leash laws.
• Teach your children not to approach any unfamiliar animals.
• Have your dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated 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; this may attract wild and stray animals.
• Teach children to stay away from wild animals or animals they do not know.
• Prevent bats from entering your home by using window screens and chimney caps and by closing any openings greater than one-fourth of an inch by half an inch. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.
• Wear gloves when handling an animal if it 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.

If you are bitten by or exposed to an animal that may be rabid, 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.
• Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water; if available, use a disinfectant to flush the wound.
• Get prompt medical attention.
• Immediately report the exposure to your local animal control agency, health department, or police.
• 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 a previously unattended child or mentally disabled or intoxicated person).