Health Department Reports First 2022 Rabies Case in Garrett County

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 2022. This case occurred in the Oakland Deep Creek Lake area and involved a gray fox attacking a person.

While walking the dog outside of their residence, on March 5, 2022, the property owner observed a gray fox walk out from behind the garage towards the woods. Quickly, the fox turned around, ran behind the individual, approaching rapidly. The fox then bit the property owner multiple times on the leg. The individual was able to use their other leg to kick the fox. The fox finally grabbed on to their shoe, ripping both shoe and sock away, allowing the individual to escape. 

Knowing an altercation just occurred and seeing that the fox was not leaving, another individual was able to successfully euthanize the fox. The individual who was bitten sought medical treatment immediately and began rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

The fox specimen was submitted to the Maryland Department of Health Rabies Laboratory on March 7, 2022. Positive results for the rabies virus were received on March 8, 2022. The victim of the fox attack will continue the rabies post-exposure prophylaxis. Rabies PEP is highly effective in preventing rabies in humans after a suspected exposure to the rabies virus.

All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to being affected by the deadly rabies virus. The rabies virus is only transferred through the saliva of the infected animal. Signs and symptoms may include neurological signs and changes in the behavior of the animal. In this case, the fox was displaying extremely aggressive behavior. It was later found that at some point prior to the incident, the fox had chewed the property owner’s tractor tire.

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.

“Although the fox had no interest in the dogs on the property,” the victim said, “this is an important reminder to have your dogs and cats vaccinated against the rabies virus.”

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. 

The Garrett County Health Department will hold the first series of low-cost rabies clinics for 2022 in May. All dogs, cats, and ferrets at least three months of age are eligible for vaccination. Call Environmental Health Services at 301-334-7760 for more information about rabies or the rabies clinics.