Harford County officials are launching a pilot program aimed at controlling the spread of rabies following a significant increase in cases. This year, 28 animals have tested positive for rabies in the county, matching the total for all of 2025. The program involves distributing more than 15,000 oral rabies vaccination baits throughout the county, primarily targeting wild raccoons.
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Hannah Lux, a community hygiene supervisor at the Harford County Health Department, noted that Harford County currently has the highest number of rabid animals in Maryland. As part of the initiative, the county is taking inspiration from a similar program implemented in Anne Arundel County.
Among the 28 reported cases this year, raccoons account for 18, along with confirmed cases in foxes, groundhogs, and bats. Recently, another fox was identified as rabid in the 2300 block of Perry Avenue in Edgewood. Lux stated that the increase in rabies cases is not entirely unexpected, given the higher numbers of animals being tested.
In previous years, the county reported 23 rabies cases in 2024, 11 in 2023, and 21 in 2022. Health officials stress the importance of contacting them for testing if any pets or people have had contact with potentially rabid animals.
Residents have begun to express concerns, with one county resident describing regular sightings of raccoons, including a particular one that has become familiar. While Lux acknowledged the uptick in cases, she emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding encounters with wild animals.
Health officials recommend that pet owners keep animals leashed during walks, ensure their pets are up to date on vaccinations, secure trash and pet food, refrain from interacting with wildlife, and report any stray animals displaying abnormal behavior to Harford County Animal Control.