Healthwatch

Officials Issue Warning Following Rabies Cases

TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ― A northern Baltimore County family is now undergoing rabies treatment after taking in a stray cat infected with the disease.

County health officials have reported a series of rabid cat incidents in the course of the last few weeks.

Derek Valcourt reports officials are now sending out a warning about the dangers of stray animals.

Health officials say in all of the cases, people thought they were helping a needy animal, but they unknowingly put themselves and their family members in harm's way.

The scratches on Annie's legs are healing, but the story of how she got them is still fresh.

"This cat showed up one day, just showed up, and we fed it and it stuck around," said Annie.

Little did Annie and her family know that the cat had rabies. Slowly they realized something was wrong.

"She scratched and bit me just suddenly, and scratched and bit me and then looked at me like she didn't even understand why she did that herself," said Annie.

Tests confirm the stray was infected. Annie and five other people, including her children, now have to get rabies shots.

Their case in northern Baltimore County comes on the heals of another case last week near the city/county line in Parkville where a boy captured an infected cat that his neighbor soon adopted.

Other recent cases include rabid cats found near Robert E. Lee Park along Pulaski Highway and in Upperco.

"They carry a rabies risk when you are adopting an animal out of the wild, specifically a cat," said Gary Thompson, Baltimore Co. Health Department.

Health officials also stress the disease can hide in a cat's body for up to six months, making even innocent looking kittens a potential danger.

"Rabies risk is universal in Baltimore County. It's not safe to adopt or have interaction with wildlife anywhere in the county," said Thompson.

It's a lesson Annie learned the hard way.

"Now I will not take care of any more strays, unfortunately," said Annie.

Health officials do not recommend adopting a stray cat out of the wild, but they say if you are considering it, you absolutely must take it to see your veterinarian first before allowing it around your family. 

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