Portions of Cunningham Falls State Park remain closed as of Sunday, after two visitors were attacked by beavers that later tested positive for rabies.

The incidents occurred less than two weeks apart at the Frederick County park, prompting Maryland officials to prohibit swimming, fishing and boating while wildlife surveillance continues.

The first attack occurred July 26, when a beaver attacked a 13-year-old boy who was swimming in the park’s lake. The boy suffered injuries to his hands and chest and was flown to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment.

A second attack occurred Wednesday, Aug. 5, when a beaver bit a 19-year-old man who was fishing from the shoreline. He went to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he received treatment for possible rabies exposure and a tetanus shot.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources personnel located and euthanized beavers near the sites of both attacks. Testing later confirmed both animals had rabies.

Following the first attack, swimming in the lake was prohibited and workers partially dismantled a nearby beaver lodge while searching for additional animals. None were found.

After the second attack, officials expanded the restrictions to include all access to the water, prohibiting swimming, fishing and boating. Daytime and nighttime surveillance of the lake has also been increased. As of Friday, no additional beavers had been found.

Rabies in beavers is considered unusual. Frederick County recorded 38 rabid animals last year, nearly half of them raccoons, but no beavers. The county’s previous rabies-positive beaver was reported in 2009.

Rabies can spread to humans through the bites or scratches of infected mammals and is fatal without timely treatment. People exposed to a potentially rabid animal should seek medical attention immediately.

Cunningham Falls State Park is near Thurmont, Maryland, about 20 miles southwest of Gettysburg.

Source: Washington Post