Health Department Issues Rabies Alert For Solomons, Lusby, and St. Leonard
Calvert County Health Department is issuing a rabies alert for Solomons, Lusby, and St. Leonard due to three additional confirmed cases of rabies in wild animals. The positive cases were identified at these locations and dates:
October 30: A raccoon captured at Dowell Road in Solomons.
November 3: A raccoon captured at Patuxent Drive in Lusby.
November 3: A skunk captured at Toms Lane, St. Leonard.
To protect yourself, your family, and your pets, the Health Department strongly advises the community to take the following precautions:
- Avoid contact with wild animals or stray domestic animals. Do not approach, handle, or feed any wild or stray animals. Teach children to never touch unfamiliar animals.
- Vaccinate your pets. Ensure all cats, dogs, and ferrets have current rabies vaccinations. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent rabies.
- Report strange-acting animals. If you observe a wild or stray animal behaving strangely—such as showing aggression, unusual tameness, or staggering—report it immediately to Animal Control at 410-535-1600, ext 2526.
- Secure your property. Do not leave pet food or unsecured trash cans outside, as they can attract wildlife to your property.
- Confine pets to your home or yard. Allowing pets to roam freely may increase their risk of being exposed to rabies.
- If you are exposed, act quickly:
- Immediately wash any bites or scratches with soap and running water for 15 minutes.
- Seek medical attention from a healthcare provider.
- Report the exposure to the Health Department (410-535-5400) and the Calvert County Animal Control (410-535-1600, x2526).
Rabies is a viral disease that is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear, but it is 100% preventable if treated immediately after exposure.
> More information about rabies
