Cunningham Falls State Park partially closed after rabid beaver attacks

Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland has partially closed all waterway access following two separate attacks by rabid beavers. The incidents occurred within a two-week period in Frederick County.

The first attack took place on July 26, involving a 13-year-old boy swimming in Hunting Creek Lake. The boy sustained injuries to his hands and chest and was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital. A second attack occurred on August 5, when a 19-year-old man was bitten on the ankle while fishing. He received treatment for rabies exposure and a tetanus shot at Meritus Medical Center.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) euthanized both animals, and subsequent testing confirmed both were infected with the rabies virus. In response, the Maryland Park Service has prohibited swimming, fishing, and boating in the affected areas, including the Houck Day Use Area and Big Hunting Creek. While water access is restricted, other parts of the park, such as the campground, remain open. The DNR is conducting ongoing surveillance and nighttime monitoring to ensure no other rabid animals remain in the vicinity.