Dead beaver tests positive for rabies at Maryland state park where girl was attacked
by Brad Matthews · The Washington TimesMaryland wildlife officials say a dead beaver found at Seneca Creek State Park, where a girl was attacked last week, tested positive for rabies.
The 10-year-old girl was at the Gaithersburg park to swim as part of a summer camp activity when the beaver attacked her on Aug. 13. On Monday, Maryland Department of Natural Resources personnel found a dead beaver, and the Maryland Department of Health confirmed it was rabid when it died, state wildlife officials said in an update.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said it was unable to confirm whether the dead beaver that was found was the same beaver involved in the attack on the 10-year-old girl.
The girl was treated after the attack for three laceration wounds on her upper leg, officials said. They did not specify whether the girl has received any anti-rabies treatment in light of the recent discovery.
A mile of trail, including places to access the Potomac River, has been closed off as officials search for other possible rabid beavers.
State wildlife officials do not believe that there is a connection between the Seneca Creek State Park attack and a pair of attacks by rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, 32 miles to the northwest.
The two beavers in those attacks, one against a 13-year-old boy on July 26 and the other against a 19-year-old fisherman on Aug. 5, were found and euthanized following the incidents before testing positive for rabies.
Authorities also said data from Montgomery and Frederick County health officials does not indicate an outbreak of rabies in either jurisdiction.
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