Monday, December 22, 2014

EHT Raccoon Confirmed as 10th Rabies Case of 2014

A dead raccoon found on a property in the 7100 block of English Creek Avenue in Egg Harbor Township has tested positive for rabies.

This is the township’s sixth confirmed case of the viral disease, but the first since May. There have been 10 cases of rabies in the county this year, six have involved raccoons.

The most recent rabid raccoon was collected on December 16 and confirmed positive by the state lab on December 19.

An investigation by the Division of Public Health has determined that there were no human exposures. The homeowner’s dog was current with its rabies vaccination but as a precaution, it will receive a booster vaccination and be placed under a 45-day observation period.

Atlantic County health officials strongly encourage residents to vaccinate their pets to protect them from contracting and spreading rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Residents who find a wild or stray animal on their property should leave it alone until an animal control officer, police officer or other responder arrives on the scene to capture and/or remove it.

Public health officials recommend the following steps to protect your family and pets from rabies:

* Make sure your dog or cat's rabies vaccination is current. The Atlantic County Animal Shelter holds a free clinic each month at 240 Old Turnpike Road, Pleasantville. The next clinic will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 9 AM to 11 AM. Dogs must be brought on leashes and cats in carriers. For more information, call (609) 485-2345 or visit www.aclink.org/animalshelter

* Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered, therefore it is strongly recommended that any animal newly vaccinated or those too young to receive the vaccine (less than three months) not be left outdoors unattended. Situations have arisen where pet owners have left unvaccinated or newly vaccinated pets outdoors where they have sustained exposures to known or suspect rabid animals, resulting in euthanasia or six months strict confinement. Keep your pet on a leash. Do not allow your pet to roam; it can come in contact with rabid wildlife.

* Teach your children to stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals.

* Never feed or touch wild animals, especially bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, or groundhogs. Do not try to keep these animals as pets.

* If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.

* Report all animal bites to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.

Click here to learn more about rabies.

County News