Bat With Rabies Found In Highland Park Home

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — A bat found flying around inside a home in Highland Park tested positive for rabies this week, the Middlesex County Office of Health Services announced Friday. The bat was found in a home near North Fourth Avenue and Lincoln Avenue in Highland Park. At least six people and one pet were exposed to the rabid bat, the county Health Dept. said.

This is the fourth rabid animal reported within Middlesex County so far in 2017 and the first rabid animal found in Highland Park.

On Monday, July 10, the bat was found inside the home of a resident in the area of North Fourth Ave. The bat was sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing. It was reported on Thursday that the animal tested positive for rabies. There are six possible human exposures and one domestic animal exposure to the bat, Middlesex County health officials said.

The Middlesex County Office of Health Services continues to monitor rabies cases within the municipality. Residents should report wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior to the Police Department. The Middlesex County Office of Health Services advised those who were exposed to the bat to consult with their primary care physician.

Bats, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats and dogs represent about 95% of animals diagnosed with rabies in the Unites States.

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