Beaver that attacked teen at Maryland park tests positive for rabies

A beaver that bit a 13-year-old at Cunningham Falls State Park tested positive for rabies, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

The teenager was swimming in the William Houck Area near Hunting Creek Lake around 9 a.m. on Sunday. He sustained injuries to his chest and hands, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and was transported to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment.

State officials closed the swimming beach as Maryland Park Service staff and Maryland Natural Resources Police searched for the beaver. Officials found the animal near the scene and euthanized it before sending it to the Frederick County Health Department for testing.

The natural resources department’s wildlife and heritage service is investigating whether there are other rabid beavers in the park, said spokesman Gregg Bortz in an email. Beavers are communal animals, which increases the risk of rabies in others.

“Swimming and all water access at the beach are prohibited until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors,” Bortz said. “This effort is expected to take several days.”

All other areas of Cunningham Falls State Park remain open for visitors.

Beaver attacks are “exceedingly rare,” Bortz said, as they are typically nonaggressive and avoid conflict with humans. Still, Bortz said, it’s best to maintain a safe minimum viewing distance of 25 yards from beavers.

People should avoid approaching, feeding or handling wild animals, officials said. If you have pets, do not leave them outside unattended and make sure they are up to date on their rabies vaccines.

Typically, more than 200 cases of rabies are identified in Maryland each year, with the last recorded instances of beaver attacks taking place in 2021 and 2015, Bortz said.

Rabies can be transmitted through animal saliva, usually by a bite, and it can be fatal in humans once symptoms start. Symptoms resemble the flu, but infection can be prevented if treated immediately.

In June, Baltimore health officials warned the public about foxes that tested positive for rabies after the animals were picked up from Stony Run Park.