Skunk In Montclair Had Rabies; Officials Give Advice To Pet Owners

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Another skunk has tested positive for rabies in Montclair, town officials announced Thursday.

According to a municipal advisory, a New Jersey Department of Health lab notified the Montclair Township Health Department that a skunk found on Godfrey Road on Nov. 24 tested positive for the rabies virus.

Montclair health officials said:

“Rabies is a fatal disease of warm-blooded mammals caused by a virus, most frequently spread through a bite or scratch from an infected animal. An infected animal has the rabies virus in its saliva and infects other animals or people through bites and contact with saliva. Once infected animals become ill, they may bite or attack other animals or people. Common carriers of the virus are raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, and feral (stray) cats. You are advised to stay away from wild animals and animals that you do not know. Please DO NOT FEED STRAY ANIMALS. Be certain that your pets are licensed, vaccinated and up to date on rabies vaccination. Some warning signs of neurological diseases like rabies and distemper include appearing drunk or excessively wobbly, circling, seeming partially paralyzed, unable to climb, acting disorientated or mutilating itself.”

Montclair health officials said that anyone who sees an animal acting strangely – or whose pet has an altercation with any wildlife “acting in an erratic manner” – should contact the Animal Control Service Request Line immediately at 862-621-9113 to have an animal control officer dispatched.

This also applies to anyone who finds a bat in their bedroom during overnight hours, officials added. Read More: Bedroom Bats, Stray Pets: Animal Control In Montclair Isn't Easy

Montclair health officials suggested people visit The Humane Society of the United States’ website for more information about rabies.

Thursday’s alert isn’t the only recent rabies advisory issued by the township. Catch up on some other recent incidents below (click headline to read the article):

• 2 Bats Are Latest Animals To Test For Rabies In Montclair
• Skunk Found In Montclair Tests Positive For Rabies
• Rabies-Infected Raccoon Found In Montclair; Town Issues Advisory

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