Two swimmers were rushed to hospital after a beaver infected with rabies repeatedly attacked them during a swim near Turtle Island on Lake George, a popular vacation spot in New York. The beaver, described as 'out for blood,' bit both men multiple times before they escaped.
Brandon Shortsleeve and his friend were swimming on July 4 when the beaver charged at them. Shortsleeve told NBC 5: 'The first time my friend ended up picking it up, it swam back at him, so we were like, okay, it’s just out for blood.' The men suffered multiple bite and scratch wounds before managing to get away.
Beaver Euthanized, Tests Confirm Rabies
New York State Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) were called and located the aggressive beaver near the attack site. They euthanized it, and its body was sent to a state laboratory, where tissue samples tested positive for rabies, according to the New York Post.
Victims Treated with Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Because rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, both victims began urgent post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), a course of rabies injections designed to stop the infection. Officials said the treatment was successful, and both men started the life-saving regimen in time.
Unusual Behavior for Beavers
Wildlife experts say the incident is highly unusual. Beavers are normally shy, mostly nocturnal herbivores that avoid humans. If frightened, they typically slap their tails on the water as a warning and dive away. However, rabies can drastically change an animal’s behavior.
Rabies: A Deadly Virus
Rabies is a killer virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord. People usually catch it from the saliva of an infected animal, most often through a bite or scratch, or if saliva gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. After the virus enters the body, it travels through the nerves toward the brain. Symptoms usually appear between three and 12 weeks later, and during that 'silent' period, the infection can still be stopped with urgent post-exposure vaccines.
Rabies in the UK
The UK is classed as rabies-free for 'classic' rabies in animals like dogs and foxes, and has been since 1922. However, some bats in the UK can carry a rabies-like virus called European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV). Only a tiny number of bats test positive, but a bite or scratch can still cause the same deadly brain disease. There is also the risk of infected pets being brought into the country illegally or without proper checks. UK rules require cats and dogs to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before travel.
