2nd Rabid Animal Found In Pasadena Neighborhood, County Warns Potential Victims

PASADENA, MD - A rabid fox was found in Pasadena, Anne Arundel County announced last Wednesday. A rabid raccoon was also found in the same community days earlier.

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health said the rabid fox was found on Sept. 30 in the 300 block of Somerset Drive. On Sept. 20, a rabid raccoon was spotted a few blocks away in the 300 block of Claiborne Road. 

Both rabid animals were found in the Laurel Acres community.

These are the third and fourth rabid animals found recently in Anne Arundel County. The first was spotted Sept. 10 in Lothian. The second was found Sept. 19 in Edgewater.

Health officials are seeking any humans or pets that had contact with the infected animals or anybody whose pet has unexplained wounds. 

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

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.

Wild animals that appear sick or injured with no human or pet contact can be reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at (877) 463-6497 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours, call the Maryland Natural Resources Police at (410) 260-8888.

If you or your pet have had physical contact with an animal that is sick or injured, contact Anne Arundel County Animal Care and Control during business hours at (410) 222-8900. After hours, call 911 and ask for the on-call officer.

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 and fox were found in Pasadena.

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