- Details
- Written by Middletown Township Public Information
- Category: Local News
MIDDLETOWN, NJ – The Middletown Township Health Department has received laboratory confirmation of a raccoon testing positive for Rabies. The animal had contact with 2 dogs on April 19, 2016 which required testing of the raccoon. Luckily the dogs had current rabies vaccinations. The incident occurred in the area of Richard Terrace and Stephenville Boulevard.
Residents should not be interacting with wildlife. If you come across a sick or injured animal, keep your distance and please contact Animal Control at 732-615-2097 immediately or contact the Police Department at 732-615-2100 after hours and on weekends.
Please make sure all domestic animals (dogs, cats, and livestock) are currently vaccinated with a Rabies vaccination. Do not let your pets run free off leash, even in the woods, to ensure they do not come in contact with wildlife that may be rabid.
Remember, Rabies is a fatal disease. The best course of defense is the vaccination of your pets and not handling or interacting with wildlife.
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes.
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.
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Rabies information for:
How Can I Help?
CDC receives calls and e-mails from individuals asking how they can help make a difference in the fight against rabies.
