Maryland Beats the National Rabies Surge with Oral Bait Vaccines

Reports of people being exposed to rabid or potentially rabid animals have climbed across the United States, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to release a health advisory on September 10. The agency said inquiries about rabies rose about 17 percent in July and August compared with the same period last year, and several state health departments reported an uptick in the use – and occasional mishandling – of post‑exposure treatment.

Surprisingly, Maryland is bucking that trend. 2026 has seen fewer laboratory‑confirmed rabies cases in the state than either of the previous two years. Officials point to the long‑running oral rabies vaccination (ORV) bait programs as a key factor, along with ongoing public‑education campaigns.

ORV bait programs are a cooperative effort. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), state health departments, and local agencies work together to drop vaccine‑laden baits in areas where wildlife that carry rabies – mainly raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats – are most active. When a raccoon eats a bait, it develops immunity, which slowly chips away at the virus’s foothold in the ecosystem.

Raccoons remain the biggest source of rabies in Maryland. "Raccoon rabies is endemic to the northeastern United States and is the most common carrier in the region," says Ronya Nassar, Harford County’s director of population health. Between 2024 and 2025 the state logged 226 confirmed animal cases each year. As of Sept. 8, 2026, that number has dropped to 170, a noticeable decline that aligns with the expansion of baiting efforts.

Only two Maryland counties currently run active bait programs: Anne Arundel and Harford. Anne Arundel launched a modest pilot on the Annapolis peninsula in 1998, gradually expanding to Gibson Island, the Broadneck peninsula, and finally countywide by 2003. The results speak for themselves – Anne Arundel recorded just seven rabid animal cases in 2025, far fewer than neighboring counties such as Baltimore (21), Frederick (38) and Montgomery (21).

Harford County followed suit this year, deploying more than 15,000 vaccine baits across hotspots where raccoon cases have been highest. So far, 217 animals have been tested for rabies through August 2026, with 21 positive results – a slight dip from 23 positives the year before.

Beyond wildlife, the state keeps pets protected through strict vaccination laws. Dogs, cats and ferrets must be immunized against rabies, and owners are urged to keep vaccinations current, keep animals leashed, and avoid leaving food or trash outdoors that might attract wildlife.

“A fully vaccinated pet is nearly 100 % protected,” notes David McCallister, public information officer for the Maryland Department of Health. Stray or free‑roaming cats, however, often miss out on that safety net, underscoring why responsible pet ownership matters.

If you ever get bitten, scratched, or exposed to the saliva of a wild animal, act fast. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water, seek medical attention, and let a health professional determine whether you need rabies post‑exposure prophylaxis. Time is critical because rabies attacks the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

In short, the CDC advisory is a reminder to stay vigilant, but Maryland’s targeted bait programs and pet‑vaccination rules are doing their part to keep the state’s rabies numbers lower than the national surge. Keep your pets up to date, watch where you walk, and don’t hesitate to get medical help if an encounter occurs.