The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed a recent case of rabies in a raccoon found in Gloucester Township.
The rabid animal was reported after a local resident’s dog encountered it on April 25. The raccoon was captured by the township’s animal control officer and sent to a state facility in Trenton for testing.
The state’s Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that the raccoon was rabid. There were no human exposures reported, but the dog involved has received a rabies booster and is currently under a mandatory four-month quarantine monitored by the animal control officer.
The county department of health has issued a bulletin to the community to raise awareness and provide information about rabies prevention.
“Rabies is a serious illness, but it is preventable with prompt medical care and responsible pet management,” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the health department.
The county emphasized the importance of preventive measures and advised residents to follow several precautionary steps:
- Ensure all pet dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date with their rabies vaccinations.
- Keep pets supervised and prevent interactions with wild animals.
- Report and remove stray animals through local animal control services to reduce the risk of rabies transmission.
- Avoid direct contact with unfamiliar or wild animals. Do not feed, handle, or adopt wildlife.
- Educate children on the dangers of interacting with unknown animals, whether wild or domestic.
- Prevent bats from entering living spaces and ensure that homes and other buildings are secure.
- Be cautious around animals when traveling internationally, especially in countries where rabies is more prevalent.
Residents can get information on rabies and other health risks by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ or the county website at www.camdencounty.com. Calls can also be made to the county Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.
