For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2015
Rabies awareness
Keep your pet’s vaccination up to date
UNION BEACH, NJ – Following the report of two separate fox attacks in the County’s Bayshore, the Monmouth County Health Department (MCHD) reminds residents that rabies in wildlife continues to pose a risk to pets and people.
In separate incidents this month, two family dogs in Union Beach were bitten by a fox. The first incident occurred in the vicinity of Dock Street; the second incident occurred in the vicinity of Lorillard Avenue later the same day.
The fox has not been captured or sighted by the Associated Humane Society, the agency that provides animal control services to the borough.
Anyone who sees a fox is advised to report the sighting to animal control or the local police.
Because rabies is fatal once symptoms develop, the MCHD advises residents to take precautions to prevent the spread of rabies by protecting their pets.
“Protecting your pets by keeping them current on their rabies vaccine is an important buffer between wildlife rabies and human exposure,” said Freeholder John P. Curley, liaison to the MCHD. “Not only does the vaccine keep your pet safe, but it can help keep you and your family safe as well.”
Over the past five years, MCDH has confirmed 10 cats and no dogs with rabies in Monmouth County.
“This is a reminder to all other residents to check your pet’s vaccination and health records and make sure they are current,” said Christopher Merkel, Monmouth County’s Public Health Coordinator.
Dogs and cats who receive an initial rabies vaccination are not considered immunized until 28 days after the vaccine has been administered, therefore it is strongly recommended that any animal newly vaccinated or those too young to receive the vaccine (less than three months) not be left outdoors unattended.
“It is important to remember that cats and dogs, as well as indoor animals, should be vaccinated for rabies,” said Merkel. “According to the latest published data by the CDC, cats continue to be the number one domestic animal confirmed with rabies: 303 cats confirmed in 2010 compared to 69 dogs.”
In addition to vaccinating your pets for rabies, there are several things residents can do to protect themselves and their pets:
- Avoid wildlife and animals you do not know.
- Keep your pet on a leash. Do not allow your pet to roam; it can come in contact with rabid wildlife.
- Never feed or touch wild or stray animals, especially stray cats, bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes or groundhogs.
- Teach your children that they should tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal.
- Call your doctor and the local health department if bitten or exposed to saliva or blood of a wild or stray animal.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet was exposed to a bat, raccoon, skunk or other wild carnivore.
“If you are bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention,” said Merkel.
According to the CDC, rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The vast majority of rabies cases reported to the CDC each year from New Jersey occur in wild animals like raccoons, skunks and bats.
CDC explains that the rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. The early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.
For more information, call the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456.
Both red and gray fox normally hunt during twilight, evening or nighttime. They may be seen outside during the day (especially if foraging for food for their pups),which is cause for alarm only if they appear sick or diseased, are acting abnormally or are unafraid of humans.
According to the CDC, the presence of rabies in all wildlife may be indicated by unprovoked aggression, impaired movement, paralysis, lack of coordination, unusually friendly behavior and/or disorientation.
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