Rabid Raccoon Found in Glendora

The Camden County Health Department on Wednesday issued an advisory after a rabid raccoon was trapped in the township's Glendora section on Monday.

A Glendora resident reported to the local animal control officer Monday morning that a raccoon was out in daylight and behaving oddly. The animal control officer and Gloucester Township Police officers trapped the raccoon and sent it to state health officials for testing.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services reported the positive rabies test to the county. The raccoon had no known contact with humans or other animals, according to Camden County officials.

“It is important to protect yourself, your family and your pets from rabies by not approaching wild animals,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department, said. “In the event you have been bitten or scratched by a raccoon, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment.”

Rodriguez urged county residents to observe a few simple rules, including acting responsibly as a pet owner:

• Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
• Contact your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. They may be unvaccinated and could be infected by the disease.

Residents are also asked to keep in mind the following when out enjoying nature:

• Enjoy wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes from afar. Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or liter.
• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home. Do not try to nurse sick animals to health. Call animal control or an animal rescue agency for assistance.
• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they seem friendly.
• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools and other similar areas where they might come in contact with people or pets.

Also, when traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and be especially careful around dogs in developing countries. Rabies is common in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, with tens of thousands of people dying of rabies each year in these countries.

Anyone wishing to learn more about rabies can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or call the Camden County Health Department at 856-374-6370.