Prince George’s County health officials warn of possible rabies exposure

Prince George’s County health officials are warning residents about a possible rabies exposure in Riverdale following a fight between a domestic cat and a raccoon.

This precautionary measure comes after the brown-and-white male domestic shorthair cat and the raccoon fought near the 6200 block of 67th Avenue on Aug. 27, according to a Friday news release from the county health department.

“We are taking a precautionary approach to help protect the health and safety of residents and their pets,” Dr. Toyin Opesanmi, the county’s health officer, said in the release.

After the fight, the cat began exhibiting unusual behavior, including growling and aggressive headbutting, the release said. The cat was found dead on Sept. 2, but a rabies test was inconclusive. The whereabouts of the raccoon are unknown, and the health department could not say whether it was dead or alive.

The department’s communicable disease team had no updates on the possible exposure Monday afternoon.

Residents should call the health department at 301-583-3751 if they or their pet may have had contact with the raccoon or cat, according to the release. They are also advised to seek immediate medical attention. The department had received no reports of encounters with either animal as of Monday afternoon.

“We feel strongly that this is an isolated event,” said Saraa Kami, a public information officer for the county health department. “However, the health department always recommends that pet owners keep their pets away from wildlife.”

Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal if left untreated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It usually spreads through bites or scratches from infected animals. Rabies can be prevented through vaccination and treated with prompt post-exposure care. The CDC estimates that about 100,000 Americans receive rabies vaccinations each year after potential exposures.

There have been multiple confirmed or possible cases of rabies in Prince George’s County over the past few years. In August, College Park Animal Control captured a raccoon showing signs of illness. Last week, the North College Park Community Association hosted a presentation and discussion on raccoon incidents in the city.

At the meeting, Rebecca Bailey, a city animal control officer, said the recent raccoon sightings do not mean there is an outbreak or higher threat of rabies.

The county health department also said it has not seen a surge in reported incidents this year.

Beyond Prince George’s County, the state has grappled with multiple rabies incidents over the past few months. A kitten in Baltimore County recently tested positive for rabies and exposed one person to the disease.

And three people have been attacked by rabid beavers in Maryland state parks this summer. Beavers rarely get rabies and almost never attack humans, The Banner reported in August.

“People should stay away from wild animals,” Kami said. “I don’t care how cute they are.”