Garden State Times

The Camden County Health Department has been informed by the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that a skunk found in Collingswood tested positive for rabies.

On September 5, a Collingswood resident discovered a skunk in their backyard with their dog. The Animal Control Officer for Collingswood picked up the skunk and arranged for rabies testing at the state Public Health & Environmental Laboratories in Trenton (PHEL). On September 9, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services was notified by PHEL that the animal was rabid.

There are no known human exposures; the only exposure was to the resident’s dog. Rabies vaccination records for the dog were obtained, and it received a rabies booster vaccine. The dog will be under confinement and observation for 45 days.

“Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment,” said Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal it is important that you seek immediate medical attention.”

Betteridge urged county residents to observe several rules, including responsible pet ownership:

- Keep vaccinations up to date for all dogs, cats, and ferrets.

- Supervise pets directly to prevent contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

- Contact local animal control agencies to remove stray animals from neighborhoods as they may be unvaccinated and could carry diseases.

Betteridge also emphasized avoiding direct contact with unfamiliar animals:

- Enjoy wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and foxes from afar without handling or feeding them. Avoid unintentionally attracting wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.

- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into homes. Do not attempt to nurse sick animals; call animal control or an animal rescue agency.

- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, whether wild or domestic.

- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces where they might come into contact with people or pets.

- When traveling abroad, avoid direct contact with wild animals and exercise caution around dogs in developing countries where rabies is more common.

For more information, residents can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/ or call the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.