Rabid beaver chew closes Cunningham Falls swimming seashore for a number of days

THURMONT, Md. (WBFF) — A beaver that bit a young person whereas he was swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park has examined optimistic for rabies, prompting officers to maintain the park’s swimming space closed as crews work to verify the realm is protected.

On Sunday, July 26, round 9:00 a.m., a young person was bitten by a beaver whereas swimming within the designated swimming space at Cunningham Falls State Park’s William Houck Area. The incident led officers to shut the swimming seashore whereas crews looked for the animal.

The Frederick County Health Department mentioned it was notified Monday, July 27, by the Maryland Department of Health {that a} beaver collected from the park examined optimistic for the rabies virus.

Frederick County Animal Control was contacted and picked up a beaver later Sunday from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Officials mentioned swimming is prohibited till the realm will be confirmed protected for guests, a course of anticipated to take a number of days.

People who could have had contact with the beaver or another wildlife are urged to seek the advice of their well being care supplier and notify the Frederick County Health Department’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342. For pets or livestock, officers mentioned to seek the advice of a veterinarian and notify the well being division’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

Barry Glotfelty, director for the well being division’s Environmental Health Services, suggested: “Mammals can be infected with the rabies virus, therefore do not touch or play with unknown animals. If you or your pets have contact with a wild animal contact the local authorities listed in this release.”

Rabies is a viral illness that primarily infects mammals and is unfold by the saliva of an contaminated animal, often by a chew. The well being division mentioned signs in animals could embody concern of water, extreme salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually pleasant or aggressive habits, and different atypical behaviors corresponding to nocturnal animals rising throughout the daytime. The illness is sort of all the time deadly to people if contaminated with out immediate post-exposure remedy, officers mentioned.

In Frederick County, officers mentioned anybody who has contact with a stray or wild animal ought to report it to Animal Control at 301-600-1544.

Additional rabies info is posted at Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Rabies.