Garden State Times

A fox in Gloucester Township, New Jersey, has tested positive for rabies, according to the Camden County Health Department. The state Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case after testing conducted at the Public Health & Environmental Laboratories in Trenton.

The incident occurred on November 8 when a resident and a family member were walking their dog and encountered the fox. The animal attacked the dog, and during efforts to separate them, a family member was bitten. Following this encounter, Gloucester Township's Animal Control Officer collected the fox for testing.

The Camden County Department of Health received confirmation on November 15 that the fox was rabid. Notifications were sent to all involved parties, including the pet owner and exposed individual. The dog had proof of vaccination and was given a rabies booster shot; it will be confined under observation for four months. Meanwhile, the bitten individual has begun post-exposure prophylaxis treatment for rabies.

Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, who is affiliated with the Camden County Health Department, emphasized that "although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment." She advised residents to seek immediate medical attention if bitten or scratched by wild animals.

Betteridge recommended several precautions for pet owners: maintaining up-to-date vaccinations for pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets; keeping pets supervised to prevent contact with wild animals; seeking veterinary care immediately if a pet is bitten by wildlife; and contacting local animal control agencies to handle stray animals.

She also highlighted the importance of avoiding direct interaction with unfamiliar animals: observing wild creatures from a distance without handling or feeding them; not adopting wild animals or attempting to nurse sick ones back to health; teaching children not to approach unfamiliar animals; preventing bats from entering living spaces; and being cautious around dogs while traveling abroad in developing countries where rabies is prevalent.

For more information about rabies prevention and safety measures, residents are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website or contact the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services.