Galloway Raccoon Tests Positive For Rabies

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Galloway raccoon tested positive for rabies, Atlantic County officials announced Monday. The county has discovered six rabies cases in wildlife this year from three raccoons, two bats and a skunk.

A homeowner on the 400 block of Highland Avenue noticed a sick raccoon in their backyard Dec. 23 while the owner had two dogs outside. The homeowner called police, who found the raccoon injured and disoriented. The raccoon succumbed to its injuries.

An animal control officer took the raccoon to a state lab, where it tested positive for rabies. Both dogs were current on their vaccinations, according to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health.

As a precaution, both dogs received rabies vaccinations and were placed on a 45-day informal confinement. Their confinement would have lasted as long as four months if their vaccinations weren't current.

“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 clinic for dogs and cats once a month at 240 Old Turnpike Road, Pleasantville. The next clinic will take place from 9-11 a.m. Jan. 12.

Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered. So officials recommend any newly vaccinated animal or any pet too young to receive a vaccine — younger than three months — not be left unattended outside.

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 ff 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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