OCEAN COUNTY – Two raccoons tested positive for rabies, causing local health officials to urge residents to vaccinate their pets.
One of the raccoons was found in Point Pleasant Beach while the other was found in Point Pleasant borough. Additional animals were collected from a group in the area and the test results are still pending, the Ocean County Health Department said. This is in addition to the rabid fox that attacked people in Jackson this summer.
“The OCHD wants to remind people to stay away from any wildlife that may appear to be sick or acting strangely,” said Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “It’s so important to remain vigilant especially in the warmer months when the potential for wildlife interactions with humans increase. It can be tempting to try and help a wild animal that may appear in distress, injured – or even uncommonly friendly. However, a person should always contact animal control or the police and never approach a wild animal demonstrating those signs.”
Last year, there were two raccoons that tested positive for rabies, but no other animals. Raccoons and bats are the most likely carriers of rabies in Ocean County.
“Not only do we have to protect ourselves from rabies, we need to protect our pets and to insure they are up-to-date with their rabies inoculations,” added Ocean County Commissioner Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “The Ocean County Animal Facilities hold free rabies clinics every other Wednesday by appointment only. Due to the pandemic many people may have skipped getting their pet vaccinated but if they did now is definitely a good time to make an appointment.”
The Northern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 615 Freemont Avenue in Jackson. To make a rabies vaccine appointment please call 732-657-8086. The Southern Ocean County Animal Facility is located at 360 Haywood Road in Manahawkin. The number is 609-978-0127.
The animal facilities are open 7 days a week for adoptions, reclaims and surrenders by appointment only.
For more information regarding rabies visit ochd.org or state.nj.us.
Spotting Rabies
You can’t always tell if an animal has rabies by just looking at it – the only way to know for sure if an animal has rabies is to perform laboratory testing. However, animals with rabies may act strangely. Some may be aggressive and try to bite you or other animals, or they may drool more than normal. (This is sometimes shown in movies as animals “foaming at the mouth.”)
Keep in mind, not all animals with rabies will be aggressive or drooling. Other animals may act timid or shy, and a wild animal might move slowly or act tame. You might be able to easily get close to it. Since that’s not the way wild animals usually act, you should remember that something could be wrong. Some animals may not show any signs of having rabies. It’s important to leave wild animals alone, including baby animals.
Some unusual behaviors to look for include:
• Staggering gait
• An animal seemingly oblivious to noise or nearby movement
• Erratic wandering
• Discharge from eyes or mouth
• Wet and matted hair on face
• Repeated high-pitch vocalization
• Self-mutilation
Keep Your Yard Safe
Keep in mind some of the following tips outlined below you can use in an effort to protect and limit your family and pets from those unwanted wildlife interactions and any potential rabies exposure:
- Make sure all garbage is stored in animal-resistant containers.
- Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats and squirrels.
- Vaccinate your cat or dog against rabies. Unvaccinated pets can contract rabies from wildlife and can transfer the disease to humans. These are safe and effective vaccines to protect our personal pets such as dogs, cats and horses and farm animals like cattle, sheep and many others.
- Never try to pet or approach a wild animal – even if it appears curious or friendly.
If You Are Bitten:
- Try and learn as much as you can about the animal. If it’s a known pet with a tag, contact the owner. If it’s a stray or wild animal, try to remember the last location you saw the animal and any distinguishing features or behavior that may be able to assist animal control officers in identifying and capturing the animal.
- Wash your wound immediately with plenty of soap and water.
- Contact your healthcare provider or hospital emergency department for care and consultation regarding the need for rabies preventative treatment.
- Report the incident to the OCHD at 732-341-9700 ext. 7515.
