The Burlington County Health Department announced that a raccoon recently captured in the Hunters Glen Apartments complex in Delran has tested positive for rabies.
To date, the health department is not aware of any humans who were exposed to the animal, but investigators are concerned other wild or stray animals may have had contact with it.
To assist the health department, officials are asking for the public to cooperate with the following: if you have been scratched or bitten by a raccoon in your neighborhood in the last two weeks, please contact the health department immediately. 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 three 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 (spit) 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.
Residents with questions or concerns should call (609) 265-5073.
