The Burlington County Health Department announced a raccoon killed by a dog at Pennington Park in Delanco has tested positive for rabies.
The racoon was killed by a dog on Aug. 12 near the small dog run area at the park and then dragged through the fence into the dog run. The remains were then submitted to the Burlington County Health Department and tested for rabies. The Burlington County Health Department was notified of the positive test on Aug. 14.
The dog that killed the raccoon was vaccinated and has received a rabies booster. The dog’s owners are also receiving rabies post exposure treatment as a precaution.
To date the Health Department is not aware of any other humans or pets exposed to the raccoon. As a precaution, the small dog run at Pennington Parks will remain closed until Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Any person who has been scratched or bitten by a raccoon at Pennington Park in the last two weeks should seek medical guidance from their primary care doctor or another physician. They should also notify the Health Department at (609) 265-5548.
Park visitors who brought dogs to the park during the last two weeks should also notify the Health Department if they believe their dog came in contact with a racoon, and contact their family veterinarian for additional guidance.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the brain. The rabies virus lives in the saliva (spit) of infected animals and is spread from a bite or when saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, nose, or eyes.
To guard against rabies, residents should make sure their pets are up to date with their rabies vaccines and keep a safe distance away from any stray animals or wildlife. Residents should contact their local animal control officer if they encounter stray animals or wildlife and not try to trap or handle animals themselves.
For additional information about rabies, visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html.
Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the Burlington County Health Department at (609) 265-5548.
