What species can get Rabies?

Rabies is a disease that can infect any mammal, including humans.

How serious is Rabies?

Rabies is always fatal.

Do we have Rabies in our area?

Yes.  Rabies exists in the wildlife throughout New Jersey, including Somerset County.

Can Rabies be prevented?

Rabies can be prevented in dogs and cats by vaccinating them early (at 12 weeks of age), keeping them up-to-date and keeping cats indoors which greatly reduces the risk of human exposure.  Rabies vaccination is required by law in both dogs and cats in Rocky Hill.

What is done to make sure our pets and our neighbor's pets are protected from Rabies?

Dogs and cats living in Rocky Hill are required by state and local laws to be licensed annually as proof of a current Rabies vaccination.

For information on vaccinating and licensing your pet, go to>>

Rabies Vaccination and Licensing Dogs and Cats

Other Rabies Facts                                                       

• Rabies has been present in land-dwelling animals in New Jersey since 1989.  Before that, bats were the only mammal harboring Rabies in our state and they continue to be carriers.
• Rabies is caused by a virus which is present in the the saliva of infected animals and so it is spread mainly through bite wounds.  It may also be spread through contact of infected saliva with open wounds, even minor ones.  Following exposure, Rabies can be prevented if a person is promptly treated, but once symptoms appear, Rabies always leads to death.
• Rabies is present in wildlife in New Jersey especially in bats, groundhogs, raccoons, skunks and foxes. It has also been seen in coyotes.
• Cats have accounted for almost 90% of Rabies cases in domestic animals in New Jersey since 1989.

 

Additional sources of information about Rabies:

Rabies FAQ – New Jersey Department of Health

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/RabiesSafeFamily/

 

Rabies Watch                                

The official New Jersey annual report of Rabies cases in animals for the year 2011 shows that there was a total of 257 cases in terrestrial animals in the state of New Jersey.  In addition there were 36 cases in bats.  In Somerset county there were 6 cases in terrestrial animals, made up of 4 raccoons, 1 skunk and 1 fox. This was double the number for 2010.  There were also 3 cases in bats.  Cats continue to account for almost 90% of cases among domestic animals in the state as a whole.

For the full report click here.

Rocky Hill Residents:

 protect yourself, your family and your neighborhood

Follow these Rabies Control measures:

• Never touch or feed wild animals or stray pets, especially stray cats.

• Report unusual behavior of wild animals or stray dogs and cats to South Brunswick Animal Control 732-329-4000 extension 7265, or  732-329-4646 after hours.

• Report any incident of animal bites to South Brunswick Health Department 732-329-4000 ext 7237 or 732-329-4646 after hours

• Report any incident of a person being bitten by an animal to the Somerset County Department of Health at 908-231-7155.