UPDATE November 26, 2025: Another raccoon tested POSITIVE for rabies on November 25, 2025 on Cornwall Drive in La Plata.
LA PLATA, Md. – The Charles County Department of Health confirmed November 24 that a raccoon collected near Oriole Lane in La Plata tested positive for rabies, prompting renewed warnings for residents to avoid wildlife and ensure pets are vaccinated.
Health officials identified the animal after it was submitted for testing. No human or domestic animal exposures have been reported in connection with this case, but the department urged immediate caution in the area.
Rabies spreads through the saliva of infected animals, most commonly via bites or scratches. The virus can also enter the body through open wounds or mucous membranes if contaminated saliva contacts eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wild animals including raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats remain the primary carriers in Maryland. Charles County recorded 12 positive rabies cases in 2024 through November, with raccoons accounting for the majority.
Health officials reminded residents that Maryland law requires dogs, cats, and ferrets four months and older to receive rabies vaccinations. Vaccines are available through private veterinarians and low-cost clinics.
The Charles County Animal Care Center at 301-932-1713 can provide information on upcoming vaccination clinics in the tri-county area. Additional clinics are regularly scheduled at Petco, Banfield Pet Hospital locations, and Tractor Supply stores in Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties.
Livestock owners should consult veterinarians about rabies vaccination for horses, cattle, sheep, and goats, especially animals that spend time outdoors.
Children should be taught never to approach or touch wild or stray animals, even if they appear friendly. Any animal displaying unusual behavior—aggression, stumbling, excessive drooling, or daytime activity in nocturnal species—should be reported immediately to Charles County Animal Control at 301-609-3425.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a wild or unknown animal should wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention right away. Post-exposure rabies treatment, when started promptly, is nearly 100 percent effective.
The Oriole Lane area sits in a residential neighborhood off Radio Station Road near the center of La Plata. The town’s proximity to wooded areas and wetlands along Port Tobacco Creek and Zekiah Swamp provides habitat for raccoons and other wildlife.
Charles County Health Officer Dianna Abney emphasized prevention as the best defense.
“A current rabies vaccination for your pet is vital,” Abney said. “Vaccinating dogs, cats, and ferrets protects both the animals and the people who love them.”
Residents who believe they or their pets may have been exposed should contact the Charles County Department of Health at 301-609-6900 during business hours or the emergency line after hours.
