Rabid Fox Caught At Double Trouble State Park, Health Dept. Confirms

BERKELEY, NJ — A fox that had been sought after an encounter with two people and a dog at Double Trouble State Park in Berkeley Township has tested positive for rabies, the Ocean County Health Department said Thursday afternoon.

The fox was brought in by Berkeley Township police, said Brian Lippai, spokesman for the health department. He did not have information on when Berkeley police found the animal, but said the county health department was notified at 11 a.m. that the fox was rabid.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has been notified, Lippai said.

Double Trouble State Park has been closed since Monday while authorities searched for the fox because of the behavior it exhibited. There was no word from state officials on when the park might reopen.

"The Park Service and Fish & Wildlife are actively assessing the schedule for reopening the park as there have been no signs of the fox since the initial encounters," the New Jersey State Park Service said earlier Thursday. "It should be noted that animals live only about a week after contracting rabies."

Lippai said the fox is the seventh animal that has been confirmed with rabies in 2022.

He did not have any information about the incidents where five children were bitten by a fox on Monday in Lakewood, but said it was unlikely that fox was the one at Double Trouble. The Lakewood bites took place at John Street Park and in a front yard on Regent Court, which are within a mile of each other but more than 15 miles from Double Trouble State Park.

Lippai said the incidents are a reminder that people should never approach wild animals.

"Rabies is a serious situation," Lippai said. "There's still no cure for it."

He said it's tempting to think it is less of a concern because of the availability of vaccines for animals and of post-exposure treatments, but people need to be vigilant about the risks.

Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease and in the United States is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

"Rabid animals come out of the blue," Lippai said, and urged parents and guardians to talk with their children about the dangers of approaching wild animals for that reason.

"Everyone wants to run up to the cute little raccoon," he said.

If you encounter an animal that showing signs of sickness, contact police or animal control immediately. Some of the signs of rabies include an animal showing signs of being overly aggressive or overly friendly, drooling, and sometimes walking in circles.

Bats found on the ground should not be touched; call authorities to get it safely removed.

Lippai said the treatment for rabies has improved; the CDC says treatment involves a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and rabies vaccine given on the day of the rabies exposure, and then a dose of vaccine given again on days 3, 7, and 14.

Anyone who is bitten by an animal should seek treatment immediately, Lippai said. He did not have an estimate of how many animal bites happen each year in Ocean County but said the health department has a division devoted solely to animal bites. Doctors are supposed to report bites to the health department, but Lippai said that doesn't always happen.

The other way to reduce your risk of exposure to rabies is to make sure your dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies, so they cannot contract it if they come in contact with a rabid animal.

The county health department offers free rabies vaccination clinics on Wednesdays. Check the website for times and locations.