Burlington County Health Department Searching for Woman who Handled Rabid Raccoon

Burlington County, NJ -- The Burlington County Health Department is searching for a woman who potentially came into contact with a rabid raccoon last week, according to The Burlington County Times.

Health officials said the woman moved an injured raccoon, that tested positive for rabies, from the intersection of Route 130 and High Street on Aug. 15, the article states.

Rabies is caused by a virus and diseases the brain and spinal cord. The virus is transmitted in salvia and nervous tissues of infected animal.

According to the Burlington County Health Department, if you're bitten or scratched by a stray or wild animal, you should: wash the wound with soap and water for at least ten minutes, call your health care provider and local board of health, contact your local animal control officer to catch or find the animal that scratched or bit you, and report the incident to your local health department.

The Health Department asks the woman to contact officials immediately at 609-265-5548.

Photo courtesy of Neil McIntosh via Flickr.