The Camden County Health Department has confirmed that a skunk found in Cherry Hill tested positive for rabies. This notification came from the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) following testing at the state Public Health & Environmental Laboratories in Trenton.
On May 16, a resident’s dog killed the skunk in their backyard. The Animal Control Officer (ACO) for Cherry Hill collected the animal and arranged for rabies testing. The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services was informed on May 21 that the skunk was indeed rabid.
Both the ACO and the dog owners have been notified of this development. As a precaution, the dog received a rabies booster shot and will be under confinement for four months.
Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, who is associated with the Camden County Health Department, emphasized the importance of early treatment to prevent rabies: “Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment,” she stated. She advised residents to seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched by a wild animal.
Betteridge also recommended several measures for pet owners to reduce risk:
– Keep vaccinations up to date for all pets.
– Supervise pets to avoid contact with wild animals.
– Seek veterinary help immediately if your pet is bitten by a wild animal.
– Contact local animal control to handle stray animals which may be unvaccinated.
She further stressed avoiding direct contact with unfamiliar animals and offered guidelines such as observing wildlife from a distance, not adopting wild animals, teaching children about safety around animals, preventing bats from entering living spaces, and exercising caution around dogs when traveling abroad.
Residents seeking more information can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or contact the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.
