A 13-year-old boy was airlifted after a rabid beaver attacked him at a Maryland state park, forcing offic - The Times of India

What the report says

A 13-year-old boy was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital after a beaver attacked him while he was swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, according to The Times of India. The incident took place Sunday morning in the William Houck Area near North Beach, where the boy suffered bite injuries to his hands and chest. Officials said the attack prompted an immediate search for the animal and the closure of the swimming beach, while the rest of the park remained open.

Maryland park and wildlife personnel, along with Natural Resources Police, searched the lake and later captured a beaver that tested positive for rabies. The publication reported that authorities have not yet confirmed whether the captured animal was the one involved in the attack, and they continued monitoring the area. The boy’s condition was not released, and the report said he was expected to receive treatment appropriate for possible rabies exposure.

The case is unusual because beavers generally avoid people, and attacks on swimmers are rare. Rabies is a serious viral disease that can spread through bites or saliva and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, although prompt post-exposure treatment is highly effective. The incident underscores why wildlife agencies advise visitors to avoid unusual animal behavior and seek medical attention quickly after any mammal bite.