The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services has been notified by the New Jersey Department of Health that a skunk found in Cherry Hill has tested positive for rabies.
On February 20, two Cherry Hill residents found a skunk having an altercation with their two dogs in their backyard. The residents were able to trap the skunk safely and took it to a wildlife rescue center. The wildlife rescue center arranged for rabies testing at the state Public Health & Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton. On February 26, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services was notified by PHEL that the animal was rabid. There were two potential human exposures.
The wildlife rescue center and the dog owners were notified. The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services received proof of vaccination for both dogs. The dogs will be under confinement and observation for 4 months. The involved humans were recommended to speak to their physicians about receiving post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
“Rabies is a serious illness, but it can be prevented by early treatment after exposure,” said Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. “If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention.”
Fleisher advises residents to practice responsible pet ownership, and follow a few simple tips to help reduce their risk of rabies exposure:
- Keep vaccinations up to date for all pets
- Keep your pets under direct supervision while outdoors so they are less likely to interact with wild animals.
- If your pet is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for your pet immediately.
Fleisher said it is also important to avoid direct contact with unfamiliar animals:
- Observe wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes from afar.
- Be cautious of open garbage cans and litter, as this can unintentionally attract wild animals.
- Do not adopt wild animals, bring them into your home, or try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they seem friendly.
- When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries. Rabies is common in developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Tens of thousands of people die of rabies each year in these countries.
More information about rabies is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/rabies/, residents can call the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.