DANGER ZONE

Rabid Beavers Attack Visitors at State Park

A 13-year-old swimmer and a 19-year-old fisherman were bitten in separate attacks in Maryland.

Two rabid beavers attacked visitors at a Maryland state park in less than two weeks, prompting officials to shut down access to the water while they search for other infected animals. A 13-year-old boy was attacked while swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County on July 26, suffering injuries to his hands and chest. He was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment. Then on Wednesday, a second beaver bit a 19-year-old man who was fishing from the shoreline. He drove himself to Meritus Medical Center, where he was treated for rabies exposure and given a tetanus shot. Wildlife officials later located and euthanized both beavers, which tested positive for rabies. David Luckenbaugh, director of the Frederick County Division of Animal Control, called the animals a “human health emergency” in comments to The Washington Post. Rabies is fatal without prompt treatment, though infections in beavers are considered extremely rare. Infectious diseases physician Edward Rensimer said treatment, when administered in time, is “a virtually 100 percent effective strategy.” The park has since closed all water access, including swimming, fishing and boating. Last year, 38 animals tested positive for rabies in Frederick County, but none were beavers.