June 18, 2010

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY PRESS RELEASE

Two raccoons found recently in Ewing Township have tested positive for rabies. The
rabid raccoons were located in the area of Old Ewingville Rd. near Spruce St. Ext. and in
the West Trenton section of the township. Because of this increased and wide-spread
occurrence of rabies, the Ewing Township Health Department is issuing this township-
wide rabies alert.
Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus which can infect all warm-blooded animals,
including humans. Rabies is most frequently spread through a bite from an infected
animal. Bites are the primary route of transmission because the diseased animal has the
rabies virus in its saliva, however, transmission may also occur with exposure to the
saliva without a bite occurring.
Bats, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats and dogs represent about 95% of the
animals diagnosed with rabies in the United States. Domestic farm animals and other
wild animals may also become infected. Rodents such as rats, mice, chipmunks and
squirrels are rarely infected.
Rabid animals are usually either vicious and aggressive (“furious rabies”) or act dazed
and are partially or totally paralyzed (“dumb rabies”). They often have trouble walking
and may appear to be “drunk”. PEOPLE SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM ALL WILD
AND STRAY DOMESTIC ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE
AGGRESSIVE OR APPEAR TO BE SICK. Some wild animals, such as raccoons,
skunks, and groundhogs, may be able to infect people even though they appear to be
normal, and these animals should be avoided at all times.
Rabies in humans is rare in the United States. The most common source of human
rabies is bats. Findings show that limited or seemingly insignificant contact with rabid
bats may result in the transmission of rabies virus to humans. Any contact with downed
bats and other ill-appearing wildlife should be avoided and all physical contact with bats
should be reported and carefully evaluated by a physician for possible rabies exposure.
By law all animal bites must be reported to the local health department.
Because rabies has been identified in the area, it is important to remind all residents of
the requirement and public health importance in vaccinating and licensing (in the case of
dogs) all cats and dogs. Please check your pet’s records to verify their rabies vaccination
is current. The Ewing Township Health Department will be holding a FREE rabies
vaccination clinic for cats & dogs on Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at the Pennington Rd.
Firehouse between the hours of 5:00pm and 6:00pm.
Please contact the Ewing Township Health Department at 609-883-2900 x-7691
additional information.