COLLEGE PARK, Md. — A dead rabid raccoon was recently found in the Hollywood West neighborhood of College Park. The raccoon was sighted at multiple locations between May 6 and May 8 exhibiting unusual behavior. College Park Animal Control picked up the deceased raccoon on May 8 along 49th Avenue in College Park.
If you know anyone or animals that may have come in contact with the raccoon in this area between April 27 and May 8, you’re asked to call the Health Department immediately at 301-583-3751.
Rabies is a life-threatening disease that is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite or scratch. Rabies can be prevented after exposure by starting preventive treatment as soon as possible. The best way to prevent exposure to rabies is to avoid contact with unfamiliar animals and ensure household pets are vaccinated for rabies. Community members should report unusual animal behavior and avoid handling or feeding unknown animals in their community
To prevent exposure to rabies:
- Do not approach, handle, or feed stray dogs and cats, and enforce and follow leash laws.
- Teach your children to stay away from wild animals and animals they do not know.
- Vaccinate dogs, cats, and ferrets against rabies and keep the vaccinations up to date.
- Do not leave pets outside unattended or allow them to roam free.
- Cover garbage cans tightly and do not leave pet food outside; this may attract wild and stray animals.
- Wear gloves when handling an animal that has been in a fight with another animal. Keep it away from people and other animals and call your veterinarian or local health department to report the animal exposure.
- Use window screens and chimney caps and close any openings greater than ¼ inch by ½ inch to prevent bats from entering your home. Bats found in the home should be safely collected, if possible, and tested for rabies.
If you are bitten by or exposed to an animal, you should take the following steps:
- If it is a wild animal, try to trap it if you can do so safely. If the animal must be killed, try not to damage the head.
- If it is an owned animal, get the animal owner's name, address, and telephone number.
- Report exposures to your local animal control agency, health department, or police.
- Immediately wash the wound well with soap and water; if available, use a disinfectant to flush the wound.
- Get prompt medical attention.
- Consider treatment if a bat was present and exposure cannot be reasonably ruled out (e.g.: a sleeping person awakens to find a bat in the room, or an adult sees a bat in the room with an unattended child, person with an intellectual disability, or intoxicated person).
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