Frederick County Health Department Launches Rabies Awareness Series

“Rabies Watch in Frederick County” debuts with quarterly updates.Frederick, MD (JK) – The Frederick County Health Department is promoting awareness of rabies in the community by providing updates on the disease via a new series of communications called Rabies Watch in Frederick County.Disease Management Coordinator Alaina  Troller says the series ” hopes to bring awareness to the community, educate the community on what rabies is, how it can be prevented, and what you can do should you find yourself or your pet exposed to rabies.”The series will contain information about wildlife encounters, positive test results, preventative measures, pet safety tips and livestock safety. The updates will be distributed via channels used by the health department to inform and communicate with the community such as Facebook, Instagram and the Health Department web site.Rabies is a disease which is always fatal in humans if not treated. It is transmitted by wild or domesticated warm-blooded mammals via saliva, usually through a bite. The debut of the series, featuring information about risk factors and vaccinations, will be available starting in October.In Frederick County, racoons are the most likely suspect to transmit the disease.  Troller says “in 2024, Frederick County actually had 18 raccoons test positive for rabies.”Rabies can be cured if medical treatment is obtained prior to development of any symptoms.