Rabid Groundhog Bites 2 People Outside Hillsborough Business

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A groundhog that bit two people outside of a business in Hillsborough has tested positive for rabies, announced the Hillsborough Township Health Department.

On Wednesday, the groundhog reportedly bit two people outside of a business at 311 Amwell Road, which is The Landing business complex.

Both people are being treated and they are not Hillsborough residents.

The Hillsborough Health Department recently tested the groundhog, which came back positive for rabies.

"All of NJ is affected by rabies. It is now in the wildlife population. Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, and is contagious to humans through a bite (most often), scratch, or open cut/mucous membrane exposure to the virus. The virus lives in the central nervous system fluid and saliva of the affected animal. This infectious fluid must enter the host’s body through an opening put there by a bite, or a scratch, or through exposure of an open cut, or mucous membrane (i.e. rubbing eyes after touching saliva) to the saliva," according to the health department.

Rabies is fatal unless treatment is given before symptoms begin. Contact a physician immediately if you or your pets are ever in contact with any wild animal and may be exposed to the rabies virus as described above.

Treatment must begin immediately, before symptoms begin or it will be fatal. Your pet may need a booster rabies vaccination even if it is currently vaccinated. Also, call the Health Department at 908-369-5652 immediately.

Residents are asked to be absolutely sure all pets are currently vaccinated against rabies, do not leave pets unattended outdoors, and if you see a sick wild animal or a stray domestic animal, contact Hillsborough’s animal control officers at Animal Control Solutions at 908-722-1271, or the Hillsborough Police at 908-369-4323.

Residents should visit hillsboroughnj.gov/departments/health#Animals for more information on rabies and animal health.

Resident should license their dog so that they are sure it is current with rabies vaccinations. Licensing of dogs in New Jersey is a law. Rabies vaccinations of ALL cats and dogs, with few exceptions, is required in Hillsborough Township.

For feral cats: contact Animal Control Solutions to be put in contact with the Fix the Cats Program. The ACS phone number is 908-722-1271. Fix the Cats can help with spay/neuter and rabies vaccinations for feral cats.

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