Post date: Oct 17, 2016 6:48:46 PM
Rabies Advisement
October 17, 2016
A wild raccoon that was submitted for rabies testing on October 7, 2016 and another wild raccoon that was submitted for testing on October 10, 2016 have both tested positive for rabies. The raccoons were captured in Medford Lakes, Burlington County. One in the 200 Block of Kihade Trail and the second in the 100 Block of Wagush Trail.
The Health Department is concerned that other wild and stray animals may have come into contact with the raccoon.
To date, the Burlington County Health Department has determined that there have been NO human individuals exposed to these animals. There was one individual’s dog that may have been exposed and that person has been contacted and instructed to follow up with their Veterinarian for an vaccinations / care for the pet as well as a standard observation time.
The Health Department is asking for your cooperation in this matter.
1. If you have been scratched or bitten by a raccoon in your neighborhood in the last two weeks, please contact us immediately.
2. Check the status of your pets’ rabies vaccine. Have your pet receive a rabies booster if it spends time outdoors, outside of your supervision and has not received its latest rabies shot within the last 3 months.
3. Do not feed any wild or stray animals in the neighborhood. Avoid all wild animals – especially bats, skunks, foxes, cats and raccoons.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the brain. The rabies virus lives in the saliva (spit) of infected animals and is spread from a bite or when saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, nose, or eyes. Rabies in certain animals—especially wildlife—is common in New Jersey.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Daisha Pierce at (609) 265-5073. For additional information, on rabies see: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM STRAY AND WILD ANIMALS
CDC - Clinical Signs of Rabies in Animals
Rabies virus causes an acute encephalitis in all warm-blooded hosts and the outcome is almost always fatal. The first symptoms of rabies may be nonspecific and include lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Signs progress within days to cerebral dysfunction, cranial nerve dysfunction, ataxia, weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, aggression, and/or self-mutilation.
If you observe any animals displaying any of the above symptoms of rabies, contact the Medford Lakes Police Department at 609-654-2156 or 609-267-8300.