Teenager swimming in Maryland lake bitten by rabid beaver

Parents and local visitors now face the abrupt loss of a popular swimming spot as Cunningham Falls State Park’s lake was shut down for several days following a rabies scare. The closure came after a 13‑year‑old boy was rushed to a hospital and airlifted for treatment, stirring anxiety among families who frequent the park’s waters. WBFF reported that the animal’s bite required air evacuation to a hospital, underscoring the severity of the encounter. Tests conducted on the beaver confirmed rabies infection, according to WBAL‑TV and the Baltimore Sun, providing the medical basis for the park’s precautionary measures.

WBAL News Radio echoed the positive result, while WUSA9 noted that authorities are now searching for additional rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls. DC News Now and WJLA highlighted the broader public‑health implications, stressing that the confirmed case forces a temporary shutdown of the swimming beach. The next steps hinge on whether more infected animals are found, a scenario that could extend the beach closure and prompt wider advisories. Park officials have not detailed a timeline for reopening, leaving residents to wonder how long the restrictions will last.

Monitoring efforts and public health guidance will shape the area’s ability to resume normal summer activities. Authorities will also coordinate with wildlife experts to assess rabies prevalence in the park’s beaver population.