CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — A rabies alert has been issued in Charles County.
On October 19, a raccoon tested positive for rabies near Bryantown and Edelen Road. Then on two separate occasions, skunks also tested positive for rabies in the Waldorf area.
Now, the county has issued a warning to all residents and visitors. At this time there haven’t been any reports of people being infected by the zoonotic disease.
Every year, more than 29 million people get vaccinated against rabies, but it’s typically after being bitten by an animal.
According to the World Health Organization, rabies is 100% preventable if vaccinated. However, once infected it is fatal.
Rabies is spread through saliva or a scratch/bite of a rabid animal. People often presume that only wildlife such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons…etc. carry the rabies virus. But, house pets such as dogs, cats, and ferrets can be infected as well.
If someone is infected, the symptoms are similar to having the flu the first few days. According to W.H.O., there are two different types of rabies, depending on which variation you contract, your symptoms will be different after the first few days.
Furious rabies symptoms include:
- Hyperactivity
- Excitable behavior
- Hydrophobia (fear of water)
- Aerophobia (fear of fresh air)
Paralytic rabies symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Difficulty swallowing
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
The CDC encourages people to get vaccinated as a preventative measure. If you get vaccinated and experience:
- Soreness
- Itching
- Headaches
- Hives
Do not worry, those are common side effects of the vaccine.