OAKLAND — The Garrett County Health Department has reported the first case of laboratory-confirmed rabies for 2025, stemming from a raccoon and dog encounter Jan. 26 near Oakland.
The dog, whose rabies vaccination was current, was involved in an altercation with the raccoon, which was euthanized and submitted for rabies testing to the Maryland Department of Health Rabies Laboratory on Jan. 30, the health department said. The positive rabies results were received the next day. The dog received a rabies booster shot and will be monitored for 45 days.
No exposure occurred between the owner and the dog.
“It is important to remember that if your pet is exposed to a wild or feral animal, do not handle it within two hours of contact,” the health department said in a release. “If it is necessary to handle your pet, make sure to wear protective gloves and immediately wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you have been bitten by a wild or feral animal that cannot be captured or exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies, seek medical treatment immediately.”
All warm-blooded animals are susceptible to being affected by the rabies virus, which is only transferred through the saliva of the infected animal. Symptoms may include neurological signs and changes in the behavior of the animal.
Pet owners are urged to check the vaccination status of their dogs, cats and ferrets. All dogs and cats are required, by law, to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and can be vaccinated as early as three months. The Garrett County Health Department will hold low-cost rabies clinics in May.