Incidents of Rabies Increasing in South Brunswick

Following two recent cases of rabid bats being captured in South Brunswick, the township is now alerting residents to raccoons who may be carrying the disease.

The South Brunswick Health Department issued an advisory Friday for an increased number of reports involving raccoons with possible rabies. Earlier this morning, South Brunswick Animal Control responded to two incidents involving suspected rabid raccoons in the area.

One case was reported on Kathy Street in the Brunswick Acres Development, while the other occurred on Kingston Lane near the South Brunswick Public Library, where a resident was bitten by the ill raccoon. The resident was taken to a local hospital for medical care, according to police. 

Last month, a bat captured on Cardinal Court, which is located off of Route 27 across the street from the Stop & Shop in Franklin Township, tested positive for rabies. Earlier in July, a bat picked up by animal control on Coriander Drive also tested positive for rabies.

Residents are urged to avoid contact with wildlife such as raccoons, fox, skunk, and groundhogs, police said.

Anyone who witnesses an animal that appears to be sick or acting abnormally should contact South Brunswick Animal Control at 732-329-4646.

All dogs and cats should be licensed and vaccinated for rabies. If a person receives a bite or scratch from a suspected rapid animal they should seek immediate medical attention. 

For more information go to the South Brunswick Health Department webpage at http://goo.gl/xWbYK, and click on the link for common health problems. To reach the South Brunswick Health Department call 732-329-4000 ext. 7237.

See below for more information on rabies from the health department:

How can rabies be prevented? 

• Vaccinate all dogs and cats. It is recommended that horses, cattle and sheep also be protected against rabies by vaccination. 

• Control unwanted animals. Abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats should not be left to roam, as they can contract rabies from rabid wildlife and then transmit the infection to community residents and their pets. 

• Avoid contact with wild animals and do not feed them or keep them as pets. Although you cannot get rabies by petting a wild animal, you are likely to get bitten if you try to pet or feed a wild animal. It is natural for wild animals to bite people that try to pet or feed them. Wild animals will also attack and bite when defending their young, which may be nearby but not visible. There are no injectable rabies vaccines approved for use in wildlife or hybrid crosses of domestic animals and wildlife, such as wolf-dog hybrids. 

• Consult a doctor when you are bitten or scratched by any animal and report all bites to your local health