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Thursday, June 20, 2013

Worcester County Health Department investigates Rabid Raccoon Situation In Ocean City

Ocean City, Md. – Worcester County Health Department confirmed late yesterday afternoon that a raccoon that attacked a person in north Ocean City tested positive for rabies.

The health department was initially notified by a citizen on Tuesday morning about an aggressive raccoon near Northside Park that attacked one person. It was later learned that two more people were charged by what authorities believe is the same raccoon.

Rabies is an ongoing issue in Worcester County and affects local wildlife. The animals most frequently confirmed with rabies in the county are raccoons, followed by foxes, skunks, groundhogs and cats.

Any person, pet or other animal that may have had contact with this or other rabies suspect wildlife may be at risk of a rabies exposure.

To report any contact with or exposure to this raccoon, call the Worcester County Health Department at 410-632-1100 or 410-352-3234. Any potential exposures should be reported immediately so that a risk assessment can be done.

If a pet has had contact with a wild or suspect animal, contact your veterinarian and the health department. Wounds found on an outdoor pet from an unwitnessed encounter should be treated as a possible rabies exposure. Appropriate management for your pet will be determined and currently vaccinated animals should be reboostered after exposure.

Reports of sick acting, aggressive wildlife or strays should be reported immediately so law enforcement can assess the situation and contain the suspect animal and minimize other exposure to pets or persons. Suspect rabid animals should then be made available for testing by the health department, where warranted.

For more information about rabies visit our website http://worcesterhealth.org.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought DePino transferred.

Anonymous said...

FYI:

Rabies shots include:

A fast-acting shot (rabies immune globulin) to prevent the virus from infecting you. Part of this injection is given near the area where the animal bit you if possible, as soon as possible after the bite.

A series of rabies vaccines to help your body learn to identify and fight the rabies virus. Rabies vaccines are given as injections in your arm. You receive five injections over 14 days.

Thought the shots were given in the stomach, learn something new everyday.

Anonymous said...

If a responsible person had a carry permit that coon could have been stopped. I guess O'Malley thought you could catch it in a crab net.

Anonymous said...

Believe me, you don't want those shots! They will put you on your knees in pain. I know first hand; well, actually another body part!

Anonymous said...

1. Catch and release trap
2. .22lr gun and bullet
3. ??????
4. Profit

Anonymous said...

Seriously folks, protect your pets. Get their rabies shots and keep it up. No warnings - disease is nature's equalizer.

This is no joke for those it happens to.