Public Health Alert
The Worcester County Health Department has confirmed that three animals found within the Ocean Pines community have tested positive for the rabies virus. All three animals were captured in an area near the north section of Ocean Pines. In response, the Ocean Pines Association along with the Health Department encourages all the residents to comply with the following actions:
- Do not approach any wild animals.
- Do not leave food out.
- Secure lids of trash cans.
- Use a leash to walk your pet and do not leave your pet unattended.
- If bitten or one of your pets is bitten, call the Ocean Pines Police Department at 410-641-7747 immediately.
For more information, call the Public Health Hot Topics Hot Line at 1-866-866-2769 or log on to www.WorcesterHealth.org for current news.
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to pets and humans by bites, or possibly by contamination of an open cut. Treatment of an infected person as critical. Untreated, rabies causes a painful death.
Most animals can be infected by the virus and can transmit the disease to man. Infected bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, dogs or cats provide the greatest risk to humans. Rabies may also spread through exposure to infected domestic farm animals, groundhogs, weasels and other wild carnivores.