Politics & Government

Middlesex County Reports the First Rabid Skunk of the Season

It happened in Helmetta in March; they warn county residents to beware of deadly problems with the nocturnal critters.


A skunk tested positive for rabies in the Borough of Helmetta in the vicinity of John Street and Railroad Avenue, the Middlesex County Office of Health Services said in a statement.

This was the first rabid animal reported within Middlesex County for the year and the first rabid animal reported in that borough, county health officials said.

On March 23, the Helmetta Animal Control Officer responded to a report that a resident’s dog got into a fight with a skunk and subsequently killed the animal.  The skunk was sent to the New Jersey State Department of Health Laboratory for testing and the results came back four days later that the animal was rabid. 

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Two residents have been contacted and advised to speak to a physician regarding their possible exposure, since they tended to the dog after the event. The dog had a current rabies vaccination, will receive a booster vaccination, and will remain under the standard 45-day quarantine.  Additionally, the Middlesex County Office of Health Services distributed rabies advisory flyers and fact sheets in the area.

In 2011, there were three incidents of rabid animals in Middlesex County. In one case in October, after being mauled in North Brunswick by a rabid skunk. Earlier in July, a 73-year-old woman who was bitten by a dog while she was in Haiti died from a rabies infection. It was the first case of human rabies in the state since 1997.

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Last year was a relatively quiet year for rabid animals. In 2010, 18 animals infected with rabies were reported to the county.

County officials said they are continuing to monitor rabies cases.  Residents should report wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior to their local Animal Control Officer. 

In Woodbridge, can be reached by calling 732-855-0600.

They also recommended that residents should avoid contact with wild animals and immediately report any bites from wild or domestic animals to your local health department and consult a physician as soon as possible.  Finally, be sure that all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and licenses.

Rabies is caused by a virus which can infect all warm-blooded mammals, including man. The rabies virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, or possibly by contamination of an open cut.  Bats, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats, and dogs represent about 95% of animals diagnosed with rabies in the United States.


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