The entrance to Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. Officials have closed parts of the Houck Day Use area after two attacks by rabid beavers in two weeks. (Photo by Mark Spurrier/Maryland Park Service)
By Will Vitka
Maryland wildlife officials have closed more areas around Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls State Park after a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the ankle by a beaver Wednesday morning near the South Beach Day Use Area.
That beaver went on to test positive for rabies. It was the second attack, and the second beaver to test positive for rabies at the park in the past two weeks, county health officials said.
The fisherman drove himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment. Natural Resources Police later caught and euthanized the beaver.
The attack comes less than two weeks after a 13-year-old swimmer was bitten by another beaver in the same area of the park. That animal tested positive for rabies July 27.
Officials closed the Houck Day Use Area, the nearby boat ramp and Big Hunting Creek above the lake after Wednesday’s attack. Activities that involve water access like swimming, fishing and boating are not allowed as the Department of Natural Resources investigates a possible rabies outbreak among the local beaver population.
The campground and other parts of the park remain open.
DNR said crews will step up daytime surveillance, a “Beavercam” if you will, and begin monitoring the lake at night for additional beavers.
Beaver attacks are rare, and the animals generally prefer avoiding people, according to DNR. Before this year the last recorded instances of beaver bites confirmed to involve a rabid beaver in Maryland occurred in 2021 and 2015.
Experts still recommend staying at least 25 yards away from a beaver — especially if one appears unusually aggressive, disoriented or exhibits unusual behavior.
Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and/or other unusual behaviors such as animals normally only seen at night coming out during the day.
DNR asked anyone who may have recently come into contact with a beaver at Cunningham Falls to call the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-3342.
Additionally, anyone who’s been bitten or scratched by a beaver near the park should contact their doctor. If your pets or livestock was bitten or scratched by a wild animal, talk with your veterinarian and call the county health department’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.
“Rabies can infect mammals through a bite or a scratch. Once an animal or person starts showing symptoms, it is almost always fatal unless treatment is given,” said Barry Glotfelty, director of Frederick County’s Environmental Health Services.
In Frederick County if you or your pets have contact with a stray or wild animal, report it to Animal Control at 301-600-1544. visit Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/RabiesExposure, and formore information on rabies, visit Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Rabies.
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Originally published at Marylandmatters.Org