Two Rabid Animals Found in Two Days in One Atlantic County Township

The Atlantic County Division of Public Health says two cases of rabies have been confirmed in Mullica Township.

Officials with the county said on Thursday, August 5th, a homeowner in the 3300 block of Moores Avenue found a fox fighting with his dog in their backyard. The next day, a feral cat in distress was found by two people in the 4900 block of Moss Mill Road. Both animals were sent to a state lab and both tested positive for rabies.

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According to a press release,

An investigation by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health has determined no known human exposures in the case involving the fox, however the homeowner’s dog, which was previously vaccinated, received a vaccination booster shot and has been placed under 45-day informal confinement as a precautionary measure.

These two cases represent the fourth and fifth in Atlantic County this year. Previous cases have included two bats and a raccoon.

Atlantic County has provided some helpful tips to combat rabies:

• Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal if left untreated.
• Public health officials advise residents to teach children to stay away from wild, stray, or aggressive animals. Never feed or touch wild animals or try to keep them as pets.
• If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.

All bites should be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at (609) 645-5971.

The county would also like to remind residents about the importance of keeping pets current on their rabies vaccinations. The Atlantic County Animal Shelter will be holding a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats this Sunday from 9 AM to noon by appointment only. A clinic for dogs will be held in the near future.

For more information about rabies control, contact the county at (609) 645-5971.

SOURCE: Atlantic County press release, 08/13/21