Maryland Residents Advised on Rabies Safety Following Beaver Attacks
Maryland health officials are advising residents on how to stay safe from rabid animals after three beaver attacks occurred in less than a month, with two of the beavers later confirmed to be rabid. The incidents took place at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County and Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. The victims, a ten-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy, and a 19-year-old man, are all reported to be in stable condition. Dr. Natalie Zimmerman, a veterinarian at Second Chance Wildlife Center, explained that rabies cases typically spike in late summer as young mammals leave their parents and become more exposed to other animals. While bats, skunks, and raccoons are commonly associated with rabies, any mammal can carry the disease, and outbreaks can cluster among specific species. Zimmerman emphasizes that awareness and caution are the best defenses, advising people to leave wildlife undisturbed. If bitten by an animal, especially one suspected of being rabid, individuals should seek immed... 
