Three raccoons in Harford County tested positive for rabies this week, prompting the Harford County Health Department to issue a rabies alert.

Health officials issued the alert Tuesday after test results from the state health department showed that three raccoons from Walters Mill Road in Forest Hill, Carrs Mill Road in Fallston and Rock Spring Road in Bel Air, tested positive for the rabies virus.

Any person or pet that may have had physical contact with a raccoon should call the Harford County Health Department at 410-877-2300, health officials said in a news release.

The recent alert follows an alert from March that indicated a raccoon in the Forest Hill area had tested positive for rabies.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rabies become more common in the summertime and are transmitted to humans and other animals through the saliva of an infected animal.

The CDC considers raccoons a “rabies reservoir” in the eastern United States — stating that 10% of raccoons have rabies which makes them one of the highest risk animals for rabies in the country.

However, the CDC said fewer than 10 people in the United States die from rabies each year due to robust prevention efforts such as vaccines.

To help prevent rabies exposure, the health department advises taking the following precautions:

  • Always keep pets leashed when out for walks and closely monitored in your backyard.
  • All cats, dogs and ferrets should remain up to date on their rabies vaccinations through their vet office or local rabies vaccination clinic.
  • Cover trash cans and do not leave pet food outside.
  • Avoid feeding, petting or interacting with wildlife in any way.
  • Notify Harford County Animal Control at 410-638-3505 if you observe a stray animal showing abnormal behaviors such as excessive affection, aggression, lethargy or disorientation.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Hubbard at mhubbard@baltsun.com, 443-651-0101 or @mthubb on X.