A concerning incident occurred in Gloucester Township earlier this week when a rabid skunk was discovered and promptly removed by Camden County health officials.
Reports indicate that a resident in Gloucester noticed their dogs interacting with the skunk on Tuesday. Thankfully, an animal control officer was able to safely capture the animal, which was then sent to state labs in Trenton for testing. The unsettling results revealed that the skunk had tested positive for rabies.
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Fortunately, health officials have not found any evidence of people being exposed to the rabid skunk. In precautionary measures, the resident’s dogs have received rabies booster vaccinations and are currently undergoing a four-month quarantine.
Virginia Betteridge, a Camden County commissioner, strongly advises any residents who may have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to seek immediate medical attention. It is also important for pet owners to ensure that their cats and dogs are up to date on their vaccines. Additionally, any sightings of stray animals should be reported to the local animal control agency.
In response to this incident, a health bulletin has been distributed in the vicinity where the rabid skunk was discovered.
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