Residents Are Urged to Vaccinate Pets Against Rabies, Take Precautions Around Wild Animals

COURT HOUSE — Health Officer Kevin Thomas announced that on March 17, 2016 the first positive case of rabies this year was found in a feral cat located in the Shawcrest area of Lower Township. Residents are advised to take precautions when coming into contact with wild animals such as feral cats and raccoons. Rather than approach a wild animal, call your local animal control officer for assistance.
Health Officer, Kevin Thomas stated, “Rabies is a fatal disease in humans and any animal bite should be taken seriously.” The rabies virus is shed in the saliva of animals that are infected with the virus. If an animal bites you, wash the wound, seek medical attention immediately, and notify the Cape May County Department of Health and your municipal animal control agency. If you are exposed to a rabid or suspected rabid animal, you must receive rabies shots as soon as possible to prevent the disease. If your pet has contact with a wild animal, call your veterinarian and the Department of Health right away.
The best way to avoid potential exposure to rabies is to vaccinate your dogs and cats. An encounter with a potentially rabid animal can be fatal for your pet–particularly if your pet is not currently vaccinated–and puts your family in danger of being exposed to rabies.
State law requires all dogs 7 months and older to be licensed with your local municipality and rabies vaccination is a requirement for licensing. Most municipalities also have ordinances for cats. Many municipalities hold free or low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and rabies vaccine is also available from local veterinarians. Upcoming municipal rabies clinics include (call your municipality to confirm):
2016 free rabies clinic schedule for Cape May County:
City of Wildwood/West Wildwood:
April 23, 2-3 p.m., West Wildwood Public Works/Fire Dept. Bldg.
Lower Township:
April 30, 9-11 a.m., Public Works, 770 Seashore Road, Villas.
Middle Township:
May 14 & Oct. 1, 2-3 p.m., Public Works Building, 400 West Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House.
Stone Harbor:
June 4, 2-3 p.m., Stone Harbor Fire House, 175 96th Street.
For more information on animal rabies, go to: http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/rabies/moreinfo.shtml. To receive information on public health news and local events, “like” the Cape May County Department of Health on Facebook.