BOWIE, Md. — Health officials are alerting the public after a rabid raccoon was found foaming at the mouth near a Target store in Bowie over the weekend.
According to the Prince George’s County Health Department, a resident spotted the raccoon around 2:45 p.m. Sunday near the parking lot of the Target on Mitchellville Road. When officers arrived, the animal was visibly ill—oozing liquid from its mouth, stumbling, rolling its head, and collapsing repeatedly.
The raccoon was captured, euthanized, and tested at the State Lab. Test results confirmed on Monday that it was infected with rabies.
Officials are now urging anyone who may have come in contact with a raccoon in that area between May 22 and June 1 to contact the Health Department immediately at 301-583-3750.
“Rabies is a deadly disease that requires immediate treatment after exposure,” said Dr. Matthew D. Levy, the county’s health officer. “It is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, typically via bites or scratches. The best protection is to avoid unfamiliar animals and keep pets up-to-date on their rabies shots.”
Rabies, a preventable but nearly always fatal viral illness once symptoms begin, can resemble flu in its early stages, according to the Mayo Clinic. The World Health Organization emphasizes that rabies is vaccine-preventable, and the CDC notes that those exposed typically require a series of four shots (or two, if previously vaccinated).
Each year, about 900 Maryland residents undergo preventive treatment after suspected rabies exposure.
To minimize the risk, experts advise:
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Avoiding contact with stray or wild animals
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Teaching children not to approach unfamiliar animals
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Keeping pet vaccinations current
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Supervising pets outdoors and securing garbage and pet food
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Wearing gloves if handling animals involved in fights
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Sealing potential entry points to prevent bats from entering homes
If you’re bitten or suspect exposure:
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Try to safely trap the animal or note the owner’s contact info if it’s a pet
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Report the incident to animal control, police, or the health department
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Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, and disinfect if possible
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Seek medical care right away
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Consider rabies treatment if a bat was present and exposure can’t be ruled out
The Health Department also shared these tips and emphasized the importance of vaccinating pets and staying alert for abnormal animal behavior.
