The owners discovered the skunk on their property and referred to as Wildlife Aid to take away it. It was despatched to the state lab for testing the place it was confirmed constructive for rabies on Sept. 8.
An investigation by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health discovered three dogs, three cats and two goats on the property could have been uncovered to the skunk. The dogs and cats had been up-to-date with their rabies vaccinations and had been positioned on a 45-day casual confinement, with a suggestion for the pets to obtain a rabies vaccine booster. The state Department of Agriculture was contacted in regards to the goats.
This is the second skunk to be confirmed for rabies. Rabies was additionally beforehand present in three raccoons, two bats and a cat.
Rabies is deadly if left untreated. It will be transmitted by means of direct contact with saliva by means of damaged pores and skin or mucous membranes within the eyes, nostril or mouth.
Public well being officers advise residents to show kids to avoid wild, stray or aggressive animals. Never feed or contact wild animals or attempt to preserve them as pets.
If you see wildlife that’s behaving unusually, particularly nocturnal animals reminiscent of skunks and raccoons discovered throughout sunlight hours, don’t method the animal. Instead, name your native animal management officer. Contact info is available on the county website at: www.aclink.org/animal-shelter/municipal.asp
Residents ought to guarantee trash cans have safe lids to stop wildlife from foraging for meals and never depart pet meals outdoors. Many animals are additionally drawn to hen seed.
Most human circumstances of rabies are the results of a chew from an contaminated animal. If you’re bitten by an animal, wash the wound instantly with cleaning soap and water and search medical consideration. All bites needs to be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.
A rabies vaccination is really helpful for home animals to not solely shield the pet but in addition the pet proprietor and members of the family who may contract rabies from an contaminated pet.
The Atlantic County Animal Shelter supplies free rabies vaccination clinics for each dogs and cats by appointment solely at www.aclink.org/animal-shelter. The subsequent clinic will probably be held 9 a.m. to midday Sunday, Sept. 10 at 240 Old Turnpike in Pleasantville.
For extra details about rabies management and precautions to guard your loved ones and your pets, please go to the county website at www.aclink.org/publichealth or name 609- 645-5971.
