Rabid Raccoon Bites Resident In Morris Township, Officials Say

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Morris Township resident was attacked by a raccoon on Harter Road last week, and that raccoon ended up testing positive for rabies, announced the Morris Township Health Department.

According to an alert from the Morris Township Health Department, on Nov. 29, the department received notification that a resident had been bitten by a raccoon. Animal Control Solutions and the Morris Township Police responded to the call and the raccoon was killed.

The raccoon was taken to the NJ Department of Health Laboratory for rabies testing. Lab results showed that the animal tested positive for rabies, health officials said.

Rabies is a lethal viral disease spread by the saliva of infected domestic and wild animals.

How To Protect Yourself From Rabies:

If a person is exposed to rabies, getting vaccinated right away can prevent the disease. Rabies can be spread from the bite of a rabid animal or when the animal’s saliva contacts a person’s mouth, eyes, or an open sore.

Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated domestic animals. Pet owners should ensure that their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccinations. Rabies occurs throughout New Jersey, including Morris County.

Bats are the animals most commonly found to have rabies. Skunks, foxes, raccoons, and unvaccinated domestic animals can also develop rabies.

Behavioral signs of rabid animals, wild or domestic, may include staggering, restlessness, aggression, a change in the tone of their barks or growls, or choking. Passive animals sometimes become fierce and aggressive. Nocturnal animals sometimes appear during the day.

If bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention.

Not all exposures require treatment. The Health Department and Animal Control staff will work to locate, capture, and test suspected animals to definitively identify if the animal is infectious.

Reporting bites is a legal obligation of exposed individuals and medical professionals to ensure any actions are taken to protect the individuals involved and the public at large.

Morris County's towns hold rabies clinics each year to vaccinate dogs and cats. Rabies vaccines are free and open to all New Jersey residents. There's no paperwork to bring to rabies clinics; all you need to bring is your pet.

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