Tri-county area sees uptick in rabies cases

SOMERSET COUNTY – This past week in the tri-county area there have been a number of animals with confirmed cases of rabies.

Tuesday a cat in Willards tested positive for rabies–after another cat in Princess Anne, a bat in Pocomoke City, and a raccoon in Berlin all recently turned up positive for the viral disease.

So far this year, Somerset County has seen four cases of rabies, where there was just one case in 2024.

“Rabies typically cycles in the area, so it’s definitely been an up tick for us for particularly cats, because we’ve actually had two positive cats within the space of two weeks. So that’s unusual for us,” said Diane Waller, Director of Environmental Health at the Somerset County Health Department.

She said though there are some signs, it can be difficult to know for sure if you’re dealing with an afflicted animal: “The only way to be 100% positive is to have them tested.”

Dr. Marianne Bailey used the example of raccoons, which make up 64% of 2024 rabies cases in Maryland, to illustrate how you might able to identify one: “If you see a raccoon that’s out in the middle of the day that looks confused, is not trying to run away, maybe is even coming toward you or your pets. That’s a big concern because that’s not normal behavior.”

Erratic or confused behavior can be signs of the virus.

Dr. Bailey said if you think you might have been exposed, it’s crucial that you waste no time seeking medical attention. “If you come in contact with any animal, especially the stray animal that was bleeding, you got blood on your hand, you’re bitten by another animal. Make sure you follow up with a doctor immediately.”

Rabies is vaccine-preventable, but if you aren’t vaccinated, there are treatment options available in the event of exposure.

“As soon as you can get the post-exposure rabies vaccines, then that will greatly decrease your risk of developing rabies.”