Rabid Calf Bottle-Fed by Children at Petting Zoo (MD-USA)

January 19, 2010

Health officials act after report of rabid calf

By Laura Smitherman |

laura.smitherman

January 18, 2010

Health officials have confirmed a case of rabies in a 6-week-old Jersey

calf at an educational center in

Prince George's County where elementary and middle school students

learned about farming and natural resources in the Potomac River

watershed.

Officials with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have

made it a priority to assess about 70 children who recently visited the

Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek. In particular, they are investigating

whether any children participated in bottle feeding the calf whose mother

died in an accident, said Katherine Feldman, a state public health

veterinarian.

" We had some school kids visit the farm, but we're not sure they

actually touched the calf, so we're reaching out to all the kids and

parents, " Feldman said. " In some cases, they may have touched

saliva, and that's how rabies is transmitted. If we do learn of any

contacts, we would recommend a series of vaccinations to prevent

infection. "

The Alice Ferguson Foundation, which runs the farm, said it is taking

" precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of all of

its visitors, staff and livestock, " according to a statement.

Health officials are urging anyone who may have been exposed to the calf

at any time since Dec. 21 to call the Prince George's County Health

Department at 240-508-5774, or the Charles County Health Department at

301-609-6900, ext. 6025, or 240-216-4055 as soon as possible.

The calf, which was tan with tiny white spots on the face and

hindquarters, was euthanized so that its brain tissue could be tested for

rabies.

2010, The Baltimore

Sun

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