College Park Reports Second Rabid Raccoon in Less Than a Month
In a concerning development, College Park has captured its second rabid raccoon within a month. The latest incident occurred when an ailing raccoon was observed in the 9500 block of 50th Place between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. on April 23. The raccoon was exhibiting signs of illness and weakness, prompting immediate action.
Authorities swiftly captured the animal and issued a public advisory urging anyone who may have had contact with the raccoon between April 13 and April 23 to reach out to the Prince George’s County Health Department. Individuals were advised to contact the department at 301-583-3751 or 240-508-5774 after 4:30 p.m. on holidays or weekends.
Dr. Matthew D. Levy, Prince George’s County Health Officer, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stressing the importance of initiating post-exposure treatment for rabies as soon as possible. He underscored that rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically through bites or scratches.
Preventive measures were outlined to mitigate the risk of rabies exposure, including avoiding contact with unfamiliar animals, ensuring pets are vaccinated against rabies, and promptly reporting any unusual animal behavior.
This incident follows a previous case on April 11, where another rabid raccoon was captured in the 5200 block of Iroquois Street in College Park.
To prevent exposure to rabies, residents were advised to refrain from approaching stray animals, educate children about wildlife safety, and maintain up-to-date vaccinations for pets. Additional precautions included securing garbage cans, wearing gloves when handling animals involved in fights, and installing window screens and chimney caps to deter bats from entering homes.
In the event of an animal bite or exposure to a potentially rabid animal, individuals were urged to take immediate action, including washing the wound thoroughly with soap and water, seeking medical attention promptly, and reporting the incident to local authorities.
Vigilance and adherence to preventive measures are crucial in safeguarding against the risks posed by rabid animals, particularly in areas where such incidents have been reported.
