Clinical Risk Assessment and Treatment of a Man Attacked by a Rabid North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) in the Connecticut River: Case Report
Author Department
Emergency Medicine
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
3-2025
Abstract
A 46-y-old male was swimming in the Connecticut River near Hatfield, Massachusetts, when he suffered an unprovoked attack from a North American beaver (Castor canadensis). The beaver attacked the man 3 separate times, inflicting multiple bite wounds to his arms and torso, ultimately attaching itself to his arm without releasing. The patient was brought to our emergency department, where the wounds were treated, and rabies postexposure prophylaxis was begun. The beaver tested positive for rabies shortly thereafter. Here we review the case of an unprovoked attack by a beaver and clinical risk assessment for rabies, along with management including postexposure prophylaxis, tetanus immunization, and wound care.
Recommended Citation
Barnés-Valldejuly O, Wurzl A, Church B. Clinical Risk Assessment and Treatment of a Man Attacked by a Rabid North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) in the Connecticut River: Case Report. Wilderness Environ Med. 2025 Mar 4:10806032241310387. doi: 10.1177/10806032241310387. Epub ahead of print.
PMID
40033979
