Officials from the Camden County disclosed on Wednesday that the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a case of rabies in a raccoon discovered in Gloucester Township last week.
The incident unfolded after a resident in Gloucester Township alerted authorities on April 25 upon encountering the raccoon with their dog. Promptly, the Township’s animal control officer intervened, successfully removing the raccoon and sending it for testing at the state’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories in Trenton. Subsequent confirmation from the lab this week confirmed the presence of rabies in the raccoon.
While there were no reported human exposures, precautionary measures were taken for the dog involved. The animal received a rabies booster and will undergo a rigorous four-month quarantine period.
To ensure public awareness and safety, health bulletins were circulated in the vicinity where the rabid raccoon was found. Commissioner Virginia Betteridge emphasized the importance of seeking immediate medical attention in the event of a bite or scratch from a wild animal, underscoring the significance of early treatment in preventing rabies.
