Raccoon Found in Absecon Tests Positive for Rabies

The New Jersey State Department of Health Laboratory has confirmed that a raccoon removed from an Absecon residence on Oct. 31 has tested positive for rabies, Atlantic County announced on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

It is the 12th confirmed case of rabies in Atlantic County this year. Eight of the cases involved raccoons.

The raccoon was discovered behind a residence on the 1100 block of Plaza Place, and an investigation conducted by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health determined the homeowner had been bitten and scratched. The homeowner has been advised to begin post exposure treatment.

Atlantic County Health Officer Patricia Diamond is reminding that animals in the wild should not be handled, captured or kept as pets. She's also stressing the importance of rabies vaccinations in order to protect pets and to provide a barrier to human exposure.

Public health officials also recommend making sure pets get annual rabies shots. The Atlantic County Animal Shelter holds a free clinic each month, with the next one scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-noon. For more information, call 609-485-2345.

If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. Report all animal bites to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.                                                     

Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered, therefore it is strongly recommended that any animal newly vaccinated or those too young to receive the vaccine (less than three months) not be left outdoors unattended.

Teach your children to stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals. Never feed or touch wild animals, especially bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, or groundhogs. Do not try to keep these animals as pets.

For more information about rabies control, visit the Atlantic County website at aclink.org/publichealth or call 609-645-5971.