Health officials have confirmed a case of rabies in a 6-week-old Jersey calf at an educational center in Prince George's County where elementary and middle school students learned about farming and natural resources in the Potomac River watershed.

Officials with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have made it a priority to assess about 70 children who recently visited the Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek. In particular, they are investigating whether any children participated in bottle feeding the calf whose mother died in an accident, said Katherine Feldman, a state public health veterinarian.

"We had some school kids visit the farm, but we're not sure they actually touched the calf, so we're reaching out to all the kids and parents," Feldman said. "In some cases, they may have touched saliva, and that's how rabies is transmitted. If we do learn of any contacts, we would recommend a series of vaccinations to prevent infection."

The Alice Ferguson Foundation, which runs the farm, said it is taking "precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of all of its visitors, staff and livestock," according to a statement.

Health officials are urging anyone who may have been exposed to the calf at any time since Dec. 21 to call the Prince George's County Health Department at 240-508-5774, or the Charles County Health Department at 301-609-6900, ext. 6025, or 240-216-4055 as soon as possible.

The calf, which was tan with tiny white spots on the face and hindquarters, was euthanized so that its brain tissue could be tested for rabies.