Health Department Reports Fourth Case of Lab-Confirmed Rabies for 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE OF RELEASE: August 19, 2024
SUBJECT: Health Department Reports Fourth Case of Lab-Confirmed Rabies for 2024
CONTACT PERSON: Bryce A. Manges, L.E.H.S. | TELEPHONE: 301-334-7760

Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department reports the county’s fourth case of laboratory-confirmed rabies for 2024. The encounter occurred in the Red House area at the southern end of the county on August 13, 2024, between a dog and a raccoon.

The dog, whose rabies vaccination was current, was in an altercation with a raccoon. With the help of the Maryland DNR Wildlife, the raccoon was euthanized and submitted for rabies testing to the Maryland Department of Health Rabies Laboratory. The positive rabies result was received on August 14, 2024, and the dog’s owner was notified the same day. Following the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, the owner had the dog boosted against the rabies virus immediately after the incident. Under the owner’s control, the dog will be closely monitored for the next 45 days.

The Garrett County Health Department announces the final series of low-cost rabies clinics for 2024. The vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets will begin Tuesday, September 10, and conclude Thursday, September 12. Area residents are encouraged to check the following schedule for the exact times and locations of the clinics.

The clinics are as follows:

• Grantsville Elementary School, Grantsville, MD – Tuesday, September 10th, 5-6 p.m.
• Garrett County Fairgrounds Ag Heritage Hall, McHenry, MD – Wednesday, September 11th, 5-6 p.m.
• Garrett County Health Department, Oakland, MD – Thursday, September 12th, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Pet owners are urged to check the vaccination status of their dogs, cats, and ferrets. All dogs and cats are required, by law, to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and can be vaccinated as early as three months. Persons with questions regarding rabies or rabies clinics should call Environmental Health Services at 301-334-7760.