A raccoon was captures on Spring Garden Street earlier this month
The following report is on file with the Palmyra Police Department:
A wild raccoon that was submitted for rabies testing on March 18, 2018 has tested positive for rabies.
The raccoon was captured on Spring Garden Street in Palmyra.
The Burlington County Health Department is concerned that other wild and stray animals may have come into contact with the raccoon. The Health Department has also determined that one individual was exposed to this animal and has been advised to seek immediate treatment.
The Health Department is asking for your cooperation.
· If you have been scratched or bitten by a raccoon in your neighborhood in the last two weeks please immediately contact Daisha Pierce at 609–265–5073.
· Check the status of your pets’ rabies vaccine. Have your pet receive a rabies booster if it spends time outdoors, outside of your supervision and has not received its latest rabies shot within the last 3 months.
· Do not feed any wild or stray animals in the neighborhood. Avoid all wild animals — especially bats, skunks, foxes, cats and raccoons.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the brain. The rabies virus lives in the saliva of infected animals and is spread from a bite or when saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, nose or eyes.
Rabies in certain animals — especially wildlife — is common in New Jersey.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Daisha Pierce at (609) 265–5073. For additional information about rabies see https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/.
