Frederick County Health Dept. Says Stray Cat Tests Positive For Rabies

The cat had attacked a resident.

Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Health Department says a stray cat captured on Hansonville Road last week has tested positive for rabies. The cat attacked a resident on Thursday, September 16th.

It’s a small cat, possibly a  young adult male, gray in color with black stripes.

The Health Department says anyone who has had contact with this cat between September 1st and 16th should  consult with their physician and report it to the Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342.

If any of their pets have had contact with this cat, they need to call their veterinarian, and notify the Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

The Frederick County Health Department says rabies is a viral disease which infects mammals and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually through a bite.    Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior and other atypical behaviors  such as nocturnal animals coming out during the daytime.

In humans, rabies is usually fatal if a person is infected, and no post-exposure treatment occurs.

By Kevin McManus