HYATTSVILLE, Md. — Police are warning residents after a rabid raccoon was found near a school and daycare in Hyattsville last week.
According to the Hyattsville Police Department, a citizen called for help after noticing a raccoon behaving strangely in the 5200 block of 43rd Avenue on Feb. 13 around 4 p.m.
The caller told police the raccoon was seen between a school, that had just let out for the day, and a daycare.
Officers safely trapped the raccoon in a trashcan until Prince George's County Animal Control arrived.
The animal later tested positive for rabies and police say they are not aware of any direct contacts between the raccoon and people or pets.
"We are thankful to [the] caller who saw the strange behavior and reported it immediately," police said. "We are also thankful for our positive working relationship with the Prince George's County Animal Control officer who quickly came to assist."
Rabies Symptoms In Humans:
The beginning symptoms of the rabies virus are similar to flu symptoms and may last for days, according to the Mayo Clinic.
WHO reports there are two different forms of the disease, furious rabies and paralytic rabies.
Symptoms of furious rabies can include:
- Hyperactivity
- Excitable behavior
- Hydrophobia (the fear of water)
- Aerophobia (the fear of drafts or of fresh air)
Paralytic rabies accounts for about 20% of the total number of human cases. WHO says this form of rabies "runs a less dramatic and usually longer course" than the other form.
Symptoms of paralytic rabies can include muscles gradually becoming paralyzed and a slowly developing coma. WHO says this form of rabies is often misdiagnosed and contributes to the under-reporting of the disease.
Later signs and symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive salivation
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Partial paralysis
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