Published: May 15, 2008 11:46 am      

Garrett health officials report third rabies case of the year

MOUNTAIN LAKE PARK - The Garrett County Health Department has reported a third laboratory-confirmed case of rabies for 2008.

On May 9, a raccoon approached a residence in Mountain Lake Park. The raccoon came onto the porch of the property owner and fought with the owner's cat before being chased away. Maryland Department of Natural Resources personnel were alerted of the situation and caught the raccoon and euthanized it.

The raccoon was submitted to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene laboratory and was confirmed positive for rabies on Tuesday.

The cat involved had a current rabies vaccination and was given a booster and will be monitored for 45 days.

So far this year, the county has had rabies in two raccoons and one skunk.