Maryland teen recovers from rabid beaver attack; state reports outbreak
A 13-year-old boy underwent three surgeries after a rabid beaver attacked him while swimming; Maryland DNR is investigating a potential rabies outbreak.
What to know
- A 13-year-old Maryland boy is recovering after being attacked by a rabid beaver on July 26 at Cunningham Falls state park; he underwent three surgeries to repair nerve damage.
- Three rabid beaver attacks have occurred in Maryland since late July, prompting the state DNR to investigate a potential outbreak and increase surveillance at affected parks.
- The CDC reported a 17% increase in rabies-related inquiries from July-August 2026 versus the same period in 2025, indicating broader concerns about rabies transmission.
“Rabies is a zoonotic viral disease with a near 100% fatality rate once symptoms develop. However, it is preventable when post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is administered appropriately.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal health agency · Guardian US ↗
Dominick Cebula Attack victimJeff Cebula Father of attack victimMaryland Department of Natural Resources State wildlife agencyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention Federal health agency
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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CDC reports 17% spike in rabies inquiries; Cebula reported to be recovering
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that from July through August it received 17% more rabies-related inquiries than during the same period in 2025, including mass exposure events. Dominick Cebula is reported to be recovering from his surgeries and nerve damage.
“He grabbed its head and a leg and he tried to get it off of him … At that point, he kind of felt that it was locked onto him. And then it started shaking its head, kind of like a dog would do.”
— Jeff Cebula, Father of attack victim · source -
first by Guardian, 9d ago · also Daily Star, Independent UK, Newser, The Daily Beast, New York Post, NY Post +3
6 more headlines
- Rabid beaver attacks boy, 13, and leaves him with nerve damage and needing multiple ops Daily Star · 8d ago
- Boy mauled by rabid beaver while swimming in Maryland state park Independent UK · 7d ago
- Maryland Boy Badly Injured in Rabid Beaver Attack Newser · 7d ago
- Boy, 13, Viciously Mauled by Rabid Beaver The Daily Beast · 7d ago
- Boy, 13, attacked by rabid beaver at Maryland state park undergoes multiple surgeries New York Post · 7d ago
- Maryland family speaks out after ‘4-foot-long’ rabid beaver attacks 13-year-old boy Fox News · 7d ago
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Texted the family this: “Maryland boy recovering from surgeries after rabid beaver attack at state park” https://www. theguardian.com/us-news/2026/s ep/14/maryland-rabid-beaver-attack Dawn: “I had never heard of rabies in beavers before. Boy, beaver bites must really hurt, given the size of their teeth.” Paul provides a link to the movie…
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10-year-old girl attacked by beaver while canoeing at Seneca Creek state park — A third attack occurred when a 10-year-old girl was attacked by a beaver while canoeing at Maryland's Seneca Creek state park.
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Maryland DNR announces investigation into potential rabies outbreak — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced it was investigating a potential rabies outbreak at Cunningham Falls state park. Actions included dismantling a nearby beaver lodge and establishing daily surveillance, along with night-time monitoring and removal of additional beavers if present.
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Rabid beaver attacks 19-year-old fisher at same state park — A second rabid beaver attacked a 19-year-old fisher's leg at Cunningham Falls state park. The beaver was caught and euthanized.
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Cebula undergoes three surgeries; rabies post-exposure prophylaxis administered — Dominick underwent three surgeries on his chest and hands to repair nerve damage. He received multiple rabies post-exposure shots around each bite site. The beaver was later confirmed to have rabies after being caught and euthanized.
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13-year-old attacked by rabid beaver while swimming at Cunningham Falls — Dominick Cebula was swimming at a popular spot in Cunningham Falls state park when a beaver attacked his chest underwater. The beaver attacked again as he backed away, biting his right hand. He was airlifted to Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore.