Raccoon With Rabies Found In South River Driveway

SOUTH RIVER, NJ — A rabid raccoon was found in a South River driveway last week, where the homeowners found it acting sluggishly and dragging its hind legs. The driveway was in the vicinity of Louis Street and Burton Avenue.

This is the twelfth rabid animal reported in Middlesex County for 2017 and the second rabid animal in South River. A rabid skunk was also recently found in the vicinity of 226 Main Street in South River.

Upon returning home the evening of Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, the two residents observed a raccoon in their driveway, which appeared to be moving sluggishly and dragging its hind legs. In an attempt to care for the raccoon, the residents took the animal to a local veterinarian’s office for treatment. While at the veterinarian’s office the raccoon was euthanized and sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing.

It was reported on Thursday, November 2 that the animal tested positive for rabies. There are two confirmed human exposures and no domestic animal exposures to the raccoon.

The residents were advised to follow up with their primary care physician regarding any post exposure treatment.

Image via Morguefile