CALIFORNIA, Md. — Spending time outdoors is part of everyday life for many Maryland residents. Whether you are kayaking on the Patuxent River, fishing along the Chesapeake Bay, hiking in Patuxent Research Refuge or walking near neighborhood ponds, encounters with wildlife are possible.
Most wild animals avoid people. However, bites and scratches can happen when an animal feels threatened, is protecting its young or is behaving unusually. Understanding the basics of Maryland wildlife rabies can help you respond quickly and reduce the risk of serious illness.
Which Wild Animals Can Carry Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies primarily affects the central nervous system and can lead to severe brain disease and death once symptoms appear, making prompt medical evaluation after a possible exposure especially important.
In Maryland, any wild mammal should be treated with caution. The Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases notes that rabies is found most often in raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and groundhogs, though other mammals, including beavers and coyotes, can also become infected.
Birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish do not carry rabies.
A healthy-looking animal is not necessarily free of rabies. Likewise, an animal acting aggressively does not automatically have the disease. Only appropriate laboratory testing can confirm whether an animal was infected.
What If A Beaver Bites You?
Beavers are generally known for avoiding people, but they can become defensive if cornered, injured or protecting a lodge or young. A bite from a beaver can cause significant injuries because of the animal’s strong teeth. Beavers are common throughout Maryland’s watersheds, and Anne Arundel County government notes their population has rebounded across the state after being trapped to near-extinction in earlier centuries.
If you are bitten by a beaver, treat the injury as both a medical emergency for wound care and a possible rabies exposure. Even if rabies is ultimately ruled out, deep bites can become infected and may require additional treatment.
Do not try to capture or kill the animal yourself. In Maryland, beavers may only be legally trapped by licensed nuisance wildlife control operators or during an authorized trapping season, according to Anne Arundel County government. If it can be done safely, note where the incident occurred and contact local animal control or the appropriate public health authorities for guidance.
What To Do After A Wild Animal Bite
If a wild animal bites or scratches you, the CDC and Maryland health officials recommend the following steps:
- Wash the wound immediately with soap and water for about 15 minutes to help flush out the virus, the CDC advises.
- Control bleeding by applying gentle pressure with a clean cloth if needed.
- Seek medical care as soon as possible, even if the wound seems minor.
- Report the incident to your local health department, animal control agency or police, as recommended in the Maryland Department of Health’s Rabies Ready guidance, so the exposure can be evaluated.
- Follow medical advice about whether rabies post-exposure treatment or other care, such as a tetanus booster or antibiotics, is recommended.
Prompt wound cleaning is one of the most important first steps after a potential rabies exposure. The Maryland Department of Health says medical professionals weigh factors such as the type of animal, the circumstances of the bite and whether the animal is available for quarantine or testing when deciding on treatment.
Signs That Wildlife May Be Sick
Wild animals do not always show obvious signs of rabies. However, unusual behavior should be taken seriously.
Examples include animals that appear unusually aggressive, unusually tame, disoriented, unable to walk normally or active at unexpected times while also showing abnormal behavior. Excessive drooling or paralysis may also occur in some cases, but not every infected animal develops the same symptoms.
Even if an animal appears normal, avoid touching, feeding or attempting to rescue it without proper training.
How To Reduce Your Risk Outdoors
Many wildlife encounters can be avoided through simple precautions. The Maryland Department of Health’s Rabies Ready brochure recommends the following:
Keep a safe distance from all wild animals, even those that seem calm. Supervise children in parks and natural areas, and teach them never to approach wildlife.
Keep dogs, cats and ferrets current on their rabies vaccinations and do not let pets roam free. Pets that roam freely are more likely to encounter wildlife.
Secure trash cans, avoid leaving pet food outdoors and remove attractants that encourage wild animals to visit residential areas.
If you enjoy boating, paddling or fishing in Southern Maryland, Anne Arundel County or elsewhere around the Chesapeake Bay watershed, remain aware of your surroundings when approaching shorelines, marshes and beaver habitats. Give wildlife enough space to move away without feeling trapped. If you have questions about nuisance wildlife on your property, Calvert County government advises contacting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources rather than approaching the animal yourself.
What Happens After A Possible Rabies Exposure?
If health care providers determine there is a meaningful risk of rabies exposure, they may recommend rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. The CDC says this treatment includes wound care, human rabies immune globulin and a series of rabies vaccines, and that it is nearly 100% effective when given promptly after an exposure.
The decision depends on the circumstances of each incident. Not every bite leads to rabies treatment, but delaying medical evaluation can increase risk if the animal was infected.
Public health officials and animal control agencies also play an important role by assessing exposures and determining whether an animal can be observed or tested when appropriate. In Maryland, the state health department’s Laboratories Administration performs rabies testing on animal specimens submitted by veterinarians and local health departments, according to MDH.
A Cautious Approach Protects Everyone
Maryland’s parks, forests, waterways and neighborhoods support a wide variety of wildlife. Seeing animals in their natural habitat is often one of the highlights of spending time outdoors.
The safest approach is to appreciate wildlife from a distance. Avoid direct contact, never attempt to handle wild mammals and seek prompt medical care after any bite or scratch from a wild animal.
Knowing how to respond can protect your health, help public health officials evaluate potential exposures and reduce unnecessary risks for your family and pets. With a few practical precautions, Maryland residents can continue enjoying the state’s outdoor spaces while staying aware of the risks associated with wildlife rabies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can beavers carry rabies in Maryland? Beavers are mammals and can become infected with rabies. Any bite from a wild beaver should be evaluated promptly by a medical professional.
Should I see a doctor after a wild animal bite even if it seems minor? Yes. Even small bites or scratches can require medical evaluation for infection, tetanus protection and possible rabies exposure.
What wild animals are most commonly associated with rabies? According to the Maryland Department of Health, raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats and groundhogs are most commonly associated with rabies in the state, though other wild mammals can also become infected.
How can I reduce the risk of wildlife bites? Keep your distance from wild animals, supervise children outdoors, keep pets vaccinated and avoid feeding or handling wildlife.
Related Articles from The BayNet
- A Reminder to Marylanders: Keep Wildlife in the Wild
- Rabies Alert Issued in Charles County: Spike in Cases from Raccoons and Foxes
- Two Animals Test Positive for Rabies in Mechanicsville Area
- Rabies-Infected Otter Found Dead in Local Creek
- Two Animals Test Positive for Rabies in Northern St. Mary’s
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
