Don't feed the groundhogs: Frederick City authorities warn of rabid rodents in Maryland

FREDERICK, Maryland — Health officials in the city of Frederick, Maryland are urging neighbors to use caution after another groundhog was reported to have rabies from the same neighborhood. The Frederick County Health Department said the most recent report came from the Willowcrest neighborhood on Friday.

This is the third groundhog to test positive for rabies in a quarter-mile area in the last three months.

"Finding this many rabid animals a short distance from each other and over a short period of time is unusual," health department officials said.

As a result, FCHD an Frederick County Animal Control is reminding residents that wildlife lives in residential areas and recommends avoiding with or feeding wild animals.

Frederick County Animal Control collected the groundhog on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, following a fight with a dog. Some of the infected groundhogs have shown aggression to people and pets, while others have not. 

What to do if you or your pet has been bitten

It is important to report bites to Animal Control, consult a health care provider when bitten, and notify the FCHD’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342. If any pets had contact with any wild animal, consult with your veterinarian and notify the FCHD’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that mainly infects mammals and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually by a bite. 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. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans if infected and no prompt post-exposure treatment is had.