Cat Near Old National Pike Park Tests Positive for Rabies

FREDERICK, Md. - On Monday, May 12, the Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) was notified that a cat from near Old National Pike Park, Mount Airy, tested positive for rabies. Frederick County Animal Control picked up the cat from a home near the park on Friday, May 9, 2025. The cat had not been seen at the residence before Friday. The cat was highly aggressive, a symptom of rabies infection. The rabies-positive cat is described as a female dilute tortoiseshell.  It was light grey with some orange on its head and a significant amount of white on the lower body and legs. It looked similar to the cat in the photo above, but is not the cat pictured.

The FCHD recommends that people who may have had contact with this cat between April 25, 2025, and May 9, 2025, consult their health care provider and notify the FCHD’s Community Health Services Office at 301-600-3342. If any pets or livestock had contact with the cat, consult with your veterinarian and notify the FCHD’s Environmental Health Office at 301-600-1717.

Rabies is a viral disease that mainly infects mammals and is spread through the saliva of the infected animal, usually by a bite. Symptoms of rabies in animals may include fear of water, excessive salivation, failure to eat or drink, limping, unusually friendly or aggressive behavior, or other unusual or atypical behavior. The disease is nearly always fatal to humans once infected if no prompt post-exposure treatment is given.

According to Barry Glotfelty, Director for FCHD’s Environmental Health Services, “Mammals can be infected with the rabies virus, so do not touch or play with unknown animals.  Also, make sure your pets are vaccinated.”

If you or your pets have contact with a stray or wild animal, report it to Animal Control at 301-600-1544.

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Contact: Brandon Alter, Public Information Officer
FCHealthDept@FrederickCountyMD.gov
301-600-3112