The Calvert County Health Department has issued a rabies alert for the Lusby and Huntingtown communities after two raccoons tested positive for rabies earlier this month.
Health officials said the first rabid raccoon was captured on May 1, 2026, on Cornfield Drive in Lusby. A second rabid raccoon was captured on May 4, 2026, on Carmel Lane in Huntingtown.
According to the Health Department, pets were exposed to the infected wild animals. Residents are being urged to take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their pets.
Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. However, health officials emphasized that rabies is 100% preventable when treatment is started immediately after exposure.
Residents should avoid contact with wild animals and stray domestic animals. The Health Department advises the public not to approach, handle, or feed wildlife or unfamiliar animals. Children should also be taught never to touch animals they do not know.
Pet owners should make sure all cats, dogs, and ferrets are current on rabies vaccinations. Health officials said vaccination is the most effective defense against the disease.
Residents are also urged to keep pet food and unsecured trash cans indoors or properly secured, as food and trash can attract raccoons and other wildlife onto private property. Pets should be kept inside the home or confined to the yard to reduce the chance of contact with potentially rabid animals.
Anyone who sees a wild or stray animal acting strangely, including showing aggression, unusual tameness, staggering, or other abnormal behavior, should contact Calvert County Animal Control at 410-535-1600, extension 2526.
If a person or pet is bitten or scratched by an animal that may have rabies, officials say immediate action is critical. The wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and running water for 15 minutes. People should seek medical care right away from a healthcare provider, and pets should be taken to a veterinarian.
Human exposures should be reported to the Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400, extension 334. Domestic animal exposures should be reported to the Calvert County Animal Control Division at 410-535-1600, extension 2526.
More information about rabies is available through the Calvert County Health Department website at calverthealth.org/healthupdates/rabies.htm.
