Rabid beavers force partial closure of Maryland's Cunningham Falls State Park
Two separate incidents involving rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls State Park resulted in injuries to a teenager and a young adult, prompting the euthanasia of the animals and a partial shutdown of day-use areas while officials assess safety.
Two attacks by rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, have led officials to close day-use areas around Hunting Creek Lake while wildlife staff conduct safety checks. The first incident occurred on July 26 when a 13-year-old swimmer sustained injuries to his hands and chest and was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The beaver involved was euthanized and later tested positive for rabies, according to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) press release. A second incident on August 5 involved a 19-year-old fisherman who was bitten on the ankle; he received treatment and a tetanus shot at Meritus Medical Center. That beaver was also euthanized and confirmed rabid.
"Currently at Cunningham Falls State Park, day-use areas around Hunting Creek Lake will remain closed until wildlife experts and park management determine it is safe to reopen them to the public," said Joe Zimmermann, public information officer for the Maryland DNR.
Zimmermann added that wildlife specialists are trapping beavers, conducting nighttime thermal-imaging surveys, and monitoring the surrounding area for additional animals. Camping and hiking facilities in other parts of the park remain open.
Health experts noted that rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites or scratches. Dr. Roy Gulick of Weill Cornell Medicine explained that while most U.S. human rabies cases stem from dogs, wildlife such as bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks also carry the virus. He emphasized that individuals bitten by wild animals should clean wounds promptly and seek medical care, including rabies vaccination, to prevent fatal infection.