The Burlington County Health Department has announced that a kitten housed at the county animal shelter tested positive for rabies.
The animal was brought to the shelter in Westampton on May 29 as a stray and quarantined as part of the shelter’s normal procedures. During that period, the cat showed no symptoms and was made available for adoption on June 19.
But the feline began showing symptoms five days later and subsequently tested for rabies. The health department was notified on June 26 that the test was positive. As a result, two shelter employees received rabies vaccine boosters.
The health department is investigating whether there were any other exposures to the kitten. Anyone who visited the shelter between June 19 and June 24 and was bit, scratched or had contact with a brown and black colored feline’s saliva is encouraged to seek medical guidance. They should also notify the health department at (609) 265-5548.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the brain. The rabies vaccine lives in the saliva 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. Rabies in certain animals – especially wildlife – is common in New Jersey.
The disease typically remains dormant in animals for several weeks before symptoms develop. Health officials believe the kitten became infected before being brought to the shelter.
To guard against rabies, residents should make sure their pets are up to date with their vaccines and keep a safe distance away from any stray animals or wildlife. They should also contact a local animal control officer if they encounter stray animals or wildlife and not try to trap or handle them alone.
For additional information about rabies, visit https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/. Anyone with questions or concerns can contact the county health department or the animal shelter at (609) 265-5073.
