BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A raccoon found in the Iron Bridge Road area of Bethlehem Township has tested positive for rabies, according to the Hunterdon County Department of Health.
The wild raccoon tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Health officials are advising area residents who may have had contact with the raccoon between Sept. 5 and Sept. 19 to immediately contact their primary care physician or the Hunterdon Medical Center emergency room to discuss possible exposure and whether post-exposure prophylaxis treatment is needed.
The Health Department reminded residents not to pick up stray animals and warned that saliva from infected animals should be considered infectious.
Owners of cats, dogs and livestock are also urged to make sure their animals are vaccinated against rabies through a veterinarian or municipal rabies clinic.
For more information, residents can call the Hunterdon County Department of Health at 908-788-1351. After hours and on weekends, call 908-788-1202.
