2nd Galloway Raccoon In A Month Tests Positive For Rabies

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Galloway raccoon tested positive Wednesday for rabies, according to Atlantic County. The animal is the second Galloway raccoon to test positive for the disease in the last month.

County health officials found the raccoon on the 100 block of Sterling Avenue. The raccoon appeared sick, so officials took it to a state lab for testing.

The homeowner's dog was also in the backyard at the time, but it didn't touch the raccoon. The dog still received a rabies booster shot as a precaution.

Three raccoons, two bats and one skunk tested positive for rabies last year in Atlantic County. That includes a raccoon found last month in Galloway. A homeowner on the 400 block of Highland Avenue noticed the sick raccoon Dec. 23.

Read more: Galloway Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies

Health officials reminded people to vaccinate their pets against rabies.

“Rabies vaccinations also help protect family members from contracting the disease from an infected pet,” said County Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond.

The Atlantic County Animal Shelter provides a free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats once a month at 240 Old Turnpike Road in Pleasantville. The next clinic will run from 9-11 a.m. Owners must leash dogs and keep cats in carriers.

Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine is administered. So the County strongly recommends keeping newly vaccinated pets not be left outdoors unattended. The same applies for pets less than three months old, who are too young to receive a vaccine.

Public health officials also advise residents to teach your children to stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals. Never feed or touch wild animals or try to keep them as pets.

Only one human death has been associated with raccoon rabies in recorded U.S. history, according to the Center for Disease Control. But if you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. All bites should be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at (609) 645-5971.

For more information about rabies control and precautions to protect your family and pets, visit the county web site at www.aclink.org/publichealth or call (609) 645-5971.

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