Date: August 28, 2018
For Immediate Release
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The Washington County Health Department has been advised of multiple reports of individuals being attacked by a raccoon since Friday, August 24, 2018 in residential areas near the Washington County Regional Park. The attacks are unprovoked and the raccoon was reported to be very aggressive. The Washington County Health Department is actively investigating all known persons, pets or other animals that may have had contact with this raccoon. There is the potential that this raccoon could be rabid.
If you, your pet, or other domestic animals had contact with a raccoon in this area during the past week, please call the Washington County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 240-313-3400.
The Health Department advises residents to not touch or pet stray or unfamiliar animals. Avoid sick animals and any that are acting in an unusual manner. It is important to vaccinate pets against rabies. If you are bitten, scratched or have contact with an animal you believe to be rabid, immediately wash the wound and seek medical attention.
Rabies is a disease transmitted through the saliva of the infected animal, via bite or scratch. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans without proper treatment. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include a marked change in behavior, failure to eat or drink, excess salivation, and hind quarter paralysis.
