Sick Raccoon in Prince George’s County Tests Positive for Rabies
Prince George’s County, MD — Residents are urged to remain cautious after a sick raccoon found in Prince George’s County last week was confirmed to have rabies. County health officials are advising individuals who may have come into contact with the animal to reach out immediately to the Prince George’s County Health Department for further guidance.
The raccoon, captured on April 11 in the 5200 block of Iroquois Street in College Park, tested positive for rabies five days later, raising concerns about potential exposure in the community.
What to Do if You’ve Encountered the Raccoon?
Residents who may have encountered the raccoon can contact the county health department at 301-583-3750 or 240-508-5774 after 4:30 p.m. on holidays or weekends. Prompt action is crucial in combating the transmission of rabies.
The Risk of Rabies and How It Spreads
Rabies is primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from an infected animal, according to the county health department. It warns that the exposure to rabies calls for a strict preventive measure which consists of four doses of the rabies vaccine spread over 14 consecutive days, including an immediate administration of a vaccine dose upon potential exposure.
The United States generally sees rabies prevalence in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Maryland alone, about 900 individuals receive post-exposure treatment every year due to exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals.
Preventing Exposure to Rabies
- Do not approach, handle, or feed stray dogs and cats. Enforce and follow leash laws in your area.
- Teach your children to stay away from wild animals or animals they are unfamiliar with.
- Keep dogs, cats, and ferrets up to date with their rabies vaccinations.
- Do not leave pets unattended outside or allow them to roam freely.
- Securely cover garbage cans and avoid leaving pet food outside to deter attracting wild or stray animals.
- When handling an animal involved in a fight, always wear gloves and keep the animal away from people and other pets. Promptly report the exposure to your veterinarian or local health department.
- Install window screens and chimney caps, and ensure any openings larger than a quarter-inch by a half-inch are sealed to prevent bats from entering your home.
Steps to Take if Bitten or Scratched
- If a wild animal is involved, attempt to safely trap it. In cases where the animal needs to be killed, care should be taken to avoid damaging the head.
- Take note of the name, address, and telephone number of the owner if the incident involved a domesticated animal.
- Report any exposures to your local animal control agency, health department, or police.
- Thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water, and if available, use a disinfectant to flush the area.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Consider treatment if a presence of a bat is uncertain and potential exposure cannot be ruled out (e.g., a sleeping person wakes to find a bat in the room, or a bat is discovered with an unattended child or an individual with an intellectual disability).
For more information about rabies in Maryland, visit the official website of the Maryland Department of Health.
