By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department
Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department reports the first case of laboratory-confirmed rabies in the county for 2021. On November 30, 2021, an altercation involving a raccoon and a vaccinated dog occurred in the Deep Creek Lake area.
The raccoon specimen was submitted to the Maryland Department of Health Rabies Laboratory on December 1, 2021. Positive results for the rabies virus were received on December 2, 2021. Following protocol in the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2016, the dog was administered a rabies booster shot directly after the incident and will be closely monitored under the owner’s control for the next 45 days.
Although there was no direct exposure between the animal owner and the raccoon, the animal owner did come into contact with the dog shortly after the incident. During the process of collecting the raccoon and containing the dog, an abrasion was found on their hand. Due to the potential non-bite contact exposure and out of an abundance of caution, the owners have begun rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
It is important to remember that if your pet is exposed to a wild animal, do not handle your pet within two hours after contact. If it is necessary to handle your pet, you need to wear protective gloves and immediately wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you have been bitten by a wild animal that cannot be captured or exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies, seek medical treatment immediately.
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. All dogs, cats, and ferrets at least three months of age are eligible for vaccination. Persons with questions regarding rabies or rabies clinics should call Environmental Health Services at 301-334-7760.
Contact: [email protected]
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