BERNARDSVILLE, NJ — An aggressive raccoon that bit a person gardening in Bernardsville has tested positive for rabies.
The attack happened on June 16, and the raccoon was captured and submitted for testing. Results provided to the Bernards Township Health Department on June 19 were positive.
The affected person has received post-exposure medical care.
The Bernards Township Health Department is the contractual health agency for Bernardsville Borough.
"Bernardsville is just a stone’s throw from here, so please keep an eye out for wildlife. Wildlife is out there," said Bernards Township Committeewoman Jennifer Asay at the June 24 Township Committee meeting.
Asay, who is liaison for the Board of Health, shared that the Health Department is "reminding folks to do everything to not encourage animals to come to your home, and make sure your animals are fully vaccinated against rabies."
Bernards Township Health Officer Dawn Marling is asking any resident or pet owner in the Stevens Lane and Pleasant Valley Road neighborhood who may have had an encounter with this raccoon to immediately contact the Health Department at 908-204-3070.
Additionally in Hillsborough, a groundhog bit two people outside of a business in Hillsborough on June 25 has also tested positive for rabies, announced the Hillsborough Township Health Department. Read More: Rabid Groundhog Bites 2 People Outside Hillsborough Business
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be prevented by avoiding contact with animals that may be rabid. Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated domestic animals. This incident should serve as a reminder for pet owners to ensure their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccination.
Pet owners are reminded not to allow their pets to run at-large, which can put them at risk of encountering rabid wildlife. Discourage wild animal foraging by not leaving pet food outside and by securing garbage cans. Avoid feeding, touching, or housing stray or wild animals.
Raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and unvaccinated cats and dogs are among the animals that can also develop rabies. Behavioral signs of rabid animals, wild or domestic, may include staggering, restlessness, aggression, a change of the tone of their barks or growls, or choking. Passive animals sometimes become fierce and aggressive. While raccoons are mostly nocturnal, daytime activity doesn’t always mean something is wrong. If you see a domestic or wild animal that is sick, injured, or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact your local Animal Control Officer.
If you or a loved one are bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal, or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention. Ask your healthcare provider to report the bite and coordinate with the Bernards Township Health Department.
For more information about rabies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov/rabies.