EDISON— The New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services laboratory confirmed that a skunk killed last month had rabies. The last confirmed case of rabies in Edison was a raccoon in January 2006.
The skunk was killed by a resident’s dog on Dayton Road at approximately 6 p.m. Aug. 24. The skunk was submitted to the N.J. State Rabies Laboratory on Aug. 25 by the Edison Municipal Animal Shelter. The dog’s rabies vaccinations were not current, and the animal is now under strict confinement. The resident may have been exposed to blood from the attack and has been advised to seek medical advice.
The Division of Health offers the following advice:
• Pets can get rabies. Vaccinate all pets and prevent them from running loose.
• Leave wildlife alone. Do not make pets of wild animals or try to save baby animals, even if they seem abandoned.
• Never touch a wild animal, especially if it is dead or injured.
• Educate children to stay away from stray animals. Do not pet stray animals.
• Do not feed or handle stray cats, since cats contract rabies six times more often than dogs.
• Call your animal control officer at 732- 248-7278 if you find stray animals.
• Keep garbage cans covered with tight lids.•
Cap all chimneys, which raccoons often use as dens.
• Keep sheds and garages and other possible den sites in good repair.
• Keep pets indoors at night to avoid contact with animals at high risk for rabies.
• If bitten by any animal, take a careful a look at the animal. Much may depend on the subsequent identification of the animal.
• Immediately wash all animal bites thoroughly with soap and water. Call your doctor or go the nearest emergency room. Report the incident to the health department or police department as soon as possible.
The police department can be reached at 732-248-7400 or by dialing 911, and the health department may be reached at 732- 248-7273.