A 13-year-old boy was airlifted after a rabid beaver attacked him at a Maryland state park, forcing officials to close the swimming beach

A 13-year-old boy required emergency medical transport after a startling encounter with a beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland. The incident occurred Sunday morning in the park's designated swimming area, where the teenager was bitten on his hands and chest.

Following the attack, the boy was airlifted by helicopter to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for specialized treatment. Authorities have not yet released updates on his current condition. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local law enforcement immediately closed the swimming beach as a precautionary measure.

Wildlife officers launched a search for the animal involved. The rest of the state park remained open to the public, but access to the swimming area was restricted. Officials later captured a beaver in the vicinity and sent it for testing.

Subsequent laboratory tests confirmed that the captured beaver had rabies, a dangerous viral disease that affects the nervous system. This finding raised concerns about public safety and the potential for further exposure. Officials are working to confirm if the captured beaver was indeed the animal that attacked the boy. Anyone who may have been exposed to a potentially rabid animal is advised to seek immediate medical evaluation.