Rabies Found in Dog in Aberdeen, Health Dept. Says

Aberdeen Township, NJ - The NJ Department of Health has confirmed that a family dog from Aberdeen that bit three people has tested positive for rabies. The dog, a pit bull, did not have a current rabies vaccination, authorities said.

Now, the Monmouth County Health Department is seeking area residents who may have been bitten by a dog in the past three weeks to contact the health department immediately.

Three people were bitten by the rabid dog prior to its death; a fourth person was also in close contact with the dog. All four individuals have been referred to their health care providers to begin rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, authorities said.

The pit bull died and then was tested, a county spokeswoman told Patch.

“We are asking that anyone in the Aberdeen area who was bitten or exposed to this family pit bull, contact the Health Department immediately,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County Public Health Coordinator. “We are currently working to identify anyone who may have come in contact with this dog in the last three weeks.”

The Monmouth County Health Department phone number is 732-431-7456, ext. 8580.

Other dogs in contact with pit, as well

Several dogs also had contact with this dog while it may have been shedding rabies virus and they will be monitored by the Monmouth County Health Dept.

The investigation is ongoing to determine if additional people and pets may have been exposed to this dog and are at risk for rabies.

“Rabies in dogs is uncommon in New Jersey,” said Merkel “Over the past five years, MCHD has confirmed 10 cats and only this dog with rabies in Monmouth County.”

According to the NJ DOH, the last rabid dog was identified in 2008; there have only been 8 dogs, including this case, confirmed with rabies since the raccoon variant virus entered the New Jersey in 1989.

“This is a reminder to all other residents to check your pet’s vaccination and health records and make sure they are current,” said Merkel. “Rabies vaccination of dogs and cats offers a very high level of protection against the virus.”

Stock image, not the pit bull with rabies