Beaver from Cunningham Falls State Park Tests Positive for Rabies

Beaver from Cunningham Falls State Park Tests Positive for Rabies

FREDERICK, Md. - On Monday, July 27, 2026, the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) was notified by the Maryland Department of Health that a beaver collected from Cunningham Falls State Park, William Houck Area in Hunting Creek Lake, near Thurmont, Maryland, tested positive for the rabies virus. On Sunday, July 26, 2026, around 9:00 a.m., a teenager was bitten by a beaver while swimming in the designated swimming area. Frederick County Animal Control was contacted and picked up a beaver later that day from Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Swimming is prohibited until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors. This effort is expected to take several days.

People who may have had contact with this beaver or any other wildlife, should consult their health care provider and notify the FCHD’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342. For pets or livestock consult with your veterinarian and notify the FCHD’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

Barry Glotfelty, Director for FCHD’s Environmental Health Services, advises, “Mammals can be infected with the rabies virus, therefore do not touch or play with unknown animals. If you or your pets have contact with a wild animal contact the local authorities listed in this release.”

Rabies is a viral disease that mainly infects mammals and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually by a bite. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, and/or other atypical behaviors such as nocturnal animals emerging during the daytime. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans if infected and no prompt post-exposure treatment is had.

In Frederick County if you or your pets have contact with a stray or wild animal, report it to Animal Control at 301-600-1544. For information on what to do if you have been bitten or scratched by an animal, visit Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/RabiesExposure. For more information on rabies, visit Health.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Rabies.