That cute little raccoon spying you from the corner of your back yard or near your Pine Barrens campsite could have rabies, warns Dr. Ella Boyd, community health services coordinator for the Ocean County Health Department.
Boyd, a veterinarian, said that so far this year, 11 animals have tested positive for rabies in Ocean County.
"Out of the 11 animals, nine were raccoons," he said. "We also had one skunk and one bat that tested positive this year."
Rabies is a virus that is present mainly in the saliva of rabid animals, Boyd said. Raccoons, bats, skunks, foxes and stray cats have the highest risk of being rabid. The virus is most often transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, causing an inflammation of the brain. It is almost always fatal once symptoms develop, Boyd said.
Statistics maintained by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services show that Ocean County accounted for 10 of the 203 documented rabies cases last year. The state reported that cats accounted for 17 cases.
"We had 10 county cases of rabid animals in all of last year," Boyd said. "Halfway through this summer, we are already at 11 cases. We need to take special care when around unfamiliar animals; especially raccoons."
Raccoons are normally nocturnal creatures and to come into contact with one during the daylight hours usually is not a good sign," Boyd said.
"Stay away and report the sighting to any law enforcement or animal control authority," Boyd said.
Raccoons are attracted to suburban back yards in search of an easy food supply.
"They are scavengers and will eat almost anything," Boyd said. "A plastic garbage bag or an open trash can is an invitation to a meal."
Boyd offered some hints a homeowner can take to limit family and pet exposure to rabies:
• Animal-proof your house and yard;
• Make sure all garbage is stored in animal-resistant containers;
• Seal off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats;
• Vaccinate your cat or dog against rabies.
Animals not vaccinated can contract rabies from wild animals and transmit the infection to humans, Boyd said. There are safe and effective vaccines to protect dogs, cats, horses, cattle and sheep against the disease. If you are bitten by any animal, Boyd recommends the following:
• Learn as much as you can about the animal. If the animal is with an owner, get the owner’s name and address. If it is a wild or stray animal, try to remember identifying features for animal control officers to use in tracking it later. If possible, and without danger to you other others, try capturing or confining the animal.
• Wash your wound immediately with plenty of soap and water.
• Contract your physician, HMO or emergency room for wound care and consultation regarding the need for rabies preventative treatment.
• Report the incident to the health department at (732) 341-9700, ext. 7502.