First Positive Rabies Case Of The Year Reported In Cape May County

DENNIS TWP., NJ — A raccoon found on Woodbine Avenue in Dennis Township on March 1 has the county's first confirmed case of rabies in 2024.

The Cape May County Health Department was notified that a dog had possibly been exposed to rabies on Feb. 26, and brought to the vet for a rabies booster after making contact with a rabid raccoon, according to a county news release.

The raccoon tested positive for rabies on March 4.

Because of this, the dog has been placed in a 45-day confinement, health department officials said. There is no indication of any human exposure, according to officials.

An encounter with a potentially rabid animal can be fatal for your pet, particularly if your pet is not currently vaccinated, and puts your family in danger of being exposed to rabies, county officials said. They urged residents to take precautions when encountering wild animals, particularly raccoons. Instead of approaching a wild animal, officials say you should call your local animal control officer instead.

"Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease in humans and any animal bite should be taken seriously," said Cape May County Health Officer Keith Thomas.

The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of animals that are infected with the virus. If an animal bites you, wash the wound, seek medical attention immediately, and notify the Cape May County Department of Health and your municipal animal control agency. If you are exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal, you must receive rabies shots as soon as possible to prevent the disease. If your pet has contact with a wild animal, contact your veterinarian and the Department of Health right away at (609) 465-1187.

State law requires all dogs 7 months and older to be licensed with your local municipality and rabies vaccination is a requirement for licensing. Most municipalities also have ordinances for cats. Many municipalities hold free or low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and rabies vaccine is also available from local veterinarians. Upcoming municipal rabies clinics include (call your municipality to confirm):

WOODBINE

Woodbine Ambulance Building

DeHirsch Avenue, Woodbine, NJ

March 16, 2024

1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

LOWER TOWNSHIP

Public Works Yard

771 Seashore Road, Erma, NJ

April 13, 2024

9:00 am-11:00 am

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Public Works Garage

400 W Mechanic Street, CMCH, NJ

May 4, 2024

12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.