Maryland boy recovering after rabid beaver attack sparks park rabies probe

Thirteen-year-old Dominick Cebula is recovering after chest and hand nerve damage from an underwater attack by a rabid beaver at Cunningham Falls state park; he underwent three surgeries and received rabies post-exposure prophylaxis after the beaver tested positive. The incident, along with other rabies-related beaver attacks at the park, has prompted the Maryland DNR to investigate a potential outbreak and increase surveillance and beaver removals. Beavers are usually non-aggressive, but rabies is nearly fatal if untreated, and the CDC reports rising rabies inquiries this season.