Ocean County Health Department Confirms Rabid Raccoon Found In South Toms River

The Ocean County Public Health Coordinator has confirmed that a raccoon found in a public area in South Toms River recently tested positive for rabies.

“This is a reminder that rabies is still a concern in this area and people should never approach wild animals, even if they look to be healthy,” Daniel E. Regenye said. ”Raccoons may not appear sick but may be carrying the rabies virus. No residents had direct contact with this raccoon.”

So far this years 12 animals have tested positive for rabies, including 10 raccoons, one fox and one bat, he said.

“Since testing of animals for rabies is generally limited to those which have exposed a resident or domestic pet; we know that actual number of rabid animals in our community is much higher,” Regenye said.

Anyone who sees a wild or homeless animal acting strangely or aggressively should avoid contact with the animal and call their local animal control officer or police department, said Jennifer Crawford, the Ocean County Health Department’s communicable disease supervisor.

You can find the telephone number of your local animal control officer on the Ocean County Health Department website at www.ochd.org, under RESOURCES or call the Health Department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7515.

It’s important to remember to vaccinate your family pets against rabies, said public information officer Leslie Terjesen.

“Even if your pets do not go outdoors, they could accidentally get out the door and come in contact with a rabid animal,“ she said.

Other tips from the Ocean County Health Department on limiting family and pet exposure to rabies are:

• · Animal-proof your house and yard. Make sure all garbage is stored in animal- resistant containers.
• · Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats.
• · Vaccinate your cat or dog against rabies. Unvaccinated animals can contract rabies from wild animals and transmit the infection to humans. There are safe and effective vaccines to protect dogs, cats, horses, cattle and sheep against the disease.

if you are bitten by an animal:

• · Learn as much as you can about the animal. If the animal is with its owner, get the owner’s name and address. If it is a stray or wild animal, try to remember the location where you last saw the animal and any identifying features on the animal for the animal control officer to use in tracking it later.
• · Wash your wound immediately with plenty of soap and water.
• · Contact your physician, health care provider or hospital emergency department for wound care and consultation regarding the need for rabies preventative treatment.
• · Report the incident to the Ocean County Health Department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7515. Free rabies vaccinations are available almost every Wednesday by appointment at the Ocean County Animal Facilities. For information on these or other free rabies vaccination opportunities for your pets, please call the Ocean County Health Department at 732-341-9700, ext. 7515 or visit the OCHD website “Events Calendar” at www.ochd.org.
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Photo credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention