Jan. 25, 2010, 12 a.m. - Prince George’s County Health Department and local health officials expanded their search for anyone who may have come in contact with a 6-week-old Jersey calf that has tested positive for rabies.  Students and others who have visited Hard Bargain Farm and Environmental Center in Accokeek, Maryland between Dec. 21, 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010 may now include residents of Prince George’s County, Charles County, Montgomery County and the District of Columbia. 

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene confirmed that the tan Jersey calf with tiny white spots on the face and hindquarters at the Hard Bargain Farm in Prince George’s County has tested positive for rabies.

 

Anyone who visited the farm during that time should contact their local health department to receive a rabies exposure assessment.  The list includes:

 

• District of Columbia Health Department:  311 or 202-821-9691
• Montgomery County Health Department:  240-777-1755
•  Prince George’s County Health Department: 301-583-3750
•  Charles County Health Department: 240-216-4055 or 240-299-4693

“Local health departments are reaching out to all known contacts who’ve visited the farm during this time period and we need the public’s help to make sure no potential contact is missed,” says Katherine Feldman, DHMH State Public Health Veterinarian.  “It’s critical that we identify everyone who has been close enough to this calf and came in contact with its saliva.”

  

When a person is bitten or exposed to saliva of a rabid animal, the disease is prevented with a four dose rabies vaccine series administered over a 14 day period and a dose of rabies immunoglobulin given at the beginning of the series (rabies post-exposure prophylaxis).   

 

"Rabies infections are virtually always fatal, but the infection resulting from the exposure to an animal with rabies can be prevented with the proper post exposure prophylaxis and wound care. Rabies post exposure prophylaxis is a medical urgency, and should begin as soon as possible after a presumed exposure" said Dr. Donald Shell, Health Officer of the Prince George’s County Health Department.  "The decision to vaccinate a person exposed to an animal with rabies depends on the type of contact the individual had with the animal. Public health and healthcare personnel will make the final decision upon interviewing each person or their guardian."

 

To prevent your exposure to rabies:

·        Have your dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, sheep, and cattle vaccinated against rabies.

·        Keep your pet under your control at all times, especially when traveling.

·        Enjoy wildlife from a distance and do not feed wildlife. 

·        Avoid sick animals and any that are acting in an unusual manner.

·        Cover garbage cans securely and do not leave pet food outside.

·        Do not relocate wildlife.

·        Prevent bats from entering your home. If you find a bat in your home, do not touch it. 

 

Post exposure:

·         If you’re bitten by an animal, wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes and then seek medical attention.

 

To learn more about rabies in Maryland, including rabies surveillance statistics and efforts to prevent and control the disease, please visit the DHMH website http://edcp.org/vet_med/rabies.cfm.