Rabid Raccoon Spotted In Pasadena Neighborhood, Potential Victims Sought

PASADENA, MD - A rabid raccoon was found in Pasadena, Anne Arundel County announced Friday. Health officials are looking for animals and humans that may have had contact with the raccoon.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health said the raccoon was found Wednesday in the 300 block of Claiborne Road in the Laurel Acres community.

Health officials are seeking any humans or pets that had contact with the raccoon or anybody whose pet has unexplained wounds. Potential victims should call health officials at (410) 222-7254 Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or (443) 481-3140 after business hours.

Rabies is a fatal disease. It is treatable, but injections must be started as soon as possible.

This is the third recent rabid raccoon found in Anne Arundel County. Another was spotted Sept. 10 in Lothian. The other was found Tuesday in Edgewater.

Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal like a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. It also spreads when an infected animal’s saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal.

The Department of Health offered these tips to prevent the spread of rabies:

• All pets should have current rabies immunizations.
• Do not allow your pets to run free.
• Secure outside garbage in covered containers to avoid attracting wild animals.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Avoid contact with all wildlife, especially feral cats, raccoons, bats, and foxes.
• If bitten or scratched by a suspected rabid animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water, and seek medical attention.

More information is posted at aahealth.org/rabies.

A free fact sheet on rabies is available by calling (410) 222-7254.

This map shows the area where officials said the rabid raccoon was found.

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