The Burlington County Health Department announced a wild raccoon that tussled with a dog in the vicinity of Blue Jay Lane in Mount Holly has tested positive for rabies.
The raccoon fought with the dog on Thursday, March 11, and subsequently died. The animal’s remains was tested and the Burlington County Health Department was notified of the positive test on Monday, March 16.
The dog that had contact with the raccoon was vaccinated and has received a rabies booster. The dog’s owners were also advised to receive rabies post exposure treatment as a precaution.
To date the Health Department is not aware of any other humans or pets exposed to the raccoon.
Any person who has been scratched or bitten by a raccoon or any wild animals or stray cats or dogs in this neighborhood in the last month should seek medical guidance from their primary care doctor or another physician. They should also notify the Burlington County Health Department at 609-265-5073.
Residents are also encouraged to check on the status of your pets’ rabies vaccine. Pets should obtain a vaccine booster if it spends time outdoors outside of supervision and has not received a rabies shot withing the last 3 months.
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.
To guard against rabies, residents should make sure their pets are up to date with their rabies vaccine and keep a safe distance from any stray or wildlife. Residents should contact their local animal control officer if they encounter stray animals or wildlife and not try to trap or handle the animals themselves.
The Burlington County Animal Shelter holds free vaccine clinics monthly at the shelter at 35 Academy Drive, Westampton. For more information, go to https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/168/Animal-Shelter .
For additional information about rabies, go to http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.