Stray Kitten Tests Positive For Rabies In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A stray kitten in Hillsborough has tested positive for rabies, announced the Hillsborough Health Department on Monday.

Hillsborough's contracted animal control officers, Animal Control Solutions, picked up a stray kitten at 4 Valinor Rd, Hillsborough, that developed symptoms of rabies, and tested positive, said the health department.

This kitten was a black and white tuxedo and was picked up by animal control outdoors on Aug. 31.

"All of New Jersey is affected by rabies. It is now established in the wildlife population," said the health department.

Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, including pet cats and dogs, 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.

Rabies is fatal unless treatment is given before symptoms begin. Contact your physician/veterinarian immediately if you or your pets are ever in contact with any wild animal or unknown cat or dog 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, please call The Health Department at 908-369-5652 immediately.

Rabies has been present in the wildlife population since 1989 in Hillsborough. Rabies can make animals appear unusually aggressive or friendly/passive.

Residents should 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.

Visit the Hillsborough Township website hillsboroughnj.gov, departments, health, and “pets and wildlife” for more information on rabies and animal health. Be sure to license your dog so that you 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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