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The county's Department of Health issued an alert on Friday, Nov. 8 advising that anyone who came into contact with a raccoon on or near Trailing Ivy Lane, not far from Jones Elementary School in Severna Park, should contact officials after the animal was captured on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Rabies is a viral disease that mainly infects mammals (warm-blooded animals who nurse their young) and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually by a bite or scratch, officials said.
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.
Rabies is spread by the bite or scratch of an infected animal, such as a groundhog, cat, fox, raccoon, skunk or bat. It is also spread when an infected animal’s saliva comes in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or open cut of a person or another animal.
Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal. Rabies is a fatal disease, and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible
The disease is nearly always fatal to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Residents who had pets make contact with the infected animal has been asked to contact health officials by calling (410) 222-7254.
"Preventive treatment might be required for anyone who handled, fed or was attacked by the infected animal," officials said. "Rabies is a fatal disease, and preventive treatment (injections) must be started as soon as possible."
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