Thursday, June 21, 2007

Rabies Confirmed in Weymouth Township Raccoon

Atlantic County Health Officer Patricia Diamond has confirmed that a raccoon collected from a residential property near Tuckahoe Road on 14th Avenue in Dorothy, Weymouth Township has tested positive for rabies. An investigation by county health officials indicates that there were no human or animal exposures.

The raccoon was discovered on June 16 and sent for testing at the New Jersey State Department of Health laboratory. Test results were confirmed on June 20.

This is the second case of rabies in Atlantic County in 2007. The first case involved a raccoon found in Egg Harbor Township.

Rabies is present in low levels in wildlife in New Jersey including Atlantic County. It is more prevalent among raccoons, but has also been found in bats, skunks, foxes, cats, groundhogs, ferrets and dogs.

Diamond reminds residents to seek immediate medical attention if they have been bitten by an animal or exposed through a scratch or contact with an animal's saliva. The animal should also be reported to the Division of Public Health by calling 609-645-5971.

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.
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.
Residents may check with their local municipality for date and location of their 2007 annual rabies vaccination clinic.
In addition, the Atlantic County Animal Shelter holds a free clinic each month. The next clinic will be on June 24, 10 AM to 12 noon, at 240 Old Turnpike Road, Pleasantville. Call (609) 485-2345 for more information.

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.

For more information about rabies control, call 609-645-5971.

County News