Rabies in a beaver--Florida, 2001.

On November 25, 2001, a beaver exhibited aggressive behavior by charging canoes and kayaks on the Ichetucknee River in Alachua County, Florida. The beaver was captured by park personnel and submitted to a Florida Department of Health (FDoH) laboratory for rabies testing. Park rangers contacted the Alachua County Health Department after they identified five persons who were in the vicinity of the animal before capture. These five persons were interviewed by county health department personnel, who reported that although the beaver had made aggressive actions, the animal had not bitten anyone. This report summarizes the investigation of this case of animal rabies. Mammals that exhibit aggressive or other unusual behavior should be reported promptly to local health officials and should not be approached or handled by the public.