Camden County health officials are urging residents to take precautions after a stray cat found in Berlin Township tested positive for rabies earlier this week.
A resident discovered the cat alongside a road on July 14 and brought it to a local animal hospital, which arranged for the feline to be tested by the state’s Public Health and Environmental Laboratories (PHEL) in Trenton. The county’s Department of Health and Human Services received the confirmation of rabies three days later.
According to officials, the resident who found the cat is the only person known to be exposed. That individual has since begun post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment and all necessary precautions were taken by veterinary staff at the animal hospital.
“Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment,” said county Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the county’s health department. “If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, it’s important that you seek immediate medical attention.”
Betteridge also reminded the public to act responsibly when it comes to pet ownership and wildlife safety by keeping vaccinations up to date for dogs, cats and ferrets and avoiding contact with unfamiliar or wild animals.
“Pet owners should keep animals under close supervision and seek veterinary care immediately if their pet is bitten by a wild animal,” she said.
County officials recommend the following precautions:
- Vaccinate all household pets against rabies.
- Supervise pets outdoors and avoid letting them roam freely.
- Report stray or sick animals to local animal control.
- Avoid handling wildlife such as raccoons, foxes, skunks and bats.
- Secure garbage to prevent attracting wild animals.
- Educate children to never approach unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly.
- Avoid adopting or attempting to rehabilitate wild animals.
- Prevent bats from entering living spaces.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but is preventable through timely medical intervention. Health officials urge caution when traveling internationally, particularly in developing countries where rabies is more common. Dogs are the leading source of rabies transmission to humans in many parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
For more information on rabies prevention and safety, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/rabies or contact the county Department of Health and Human Services at (856) 374-6370.
