Overview
- The incidents began July 26 at Cunningham Falls with a 13-year-old swimmer and continued with a 19-year-old fisherman on Aug. 5 and a 10-year-old camper at Seneca Creek on Aug. 13, leaving three people treated for bite wounds.
- Wildlife teams captured and euthanized the two Cunningham Falls beavers and laboratory tests confirmed rabies in both animals, with at least one carrying the raccoon-type strain.
- The Seneca Creek beaver escaped and has not been recovered for testing, prompting expanded area closures, nightly thermal surveys, dismantling of lodges, and the hiring of licensed trappers.
- Health officials say county data show no evidence of a wider rabies outbreak, but they urge immediate wound washing and prompt medical care for any bite or scratch because post‑exposure vaccines are critical.
- Beavers rarely bite people and rabies in beavers is uncommon; authorities advise keeping roughly 25 yards from wild beavers and reporting sick or injured wildlife to the DNR Wildlife Hotline at 410-260-8540.