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The Hillsborough Health Dept. tested a groundhog that bit 2 people outside of a business at 311 Amwell Rd - The Landing business complex, on Wednesday, June 25. All of NJ is affected by rabies. It is now in the wildlife population. Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, and is contagious to humans through a bite (most often), scratch, or open cut/mucous membrane exposure to the virus. The virus lives in the central nervous system fluid and saliva of the affected animal. This infectious fluid must enter the host’s body through an opening put there by a bite, or a scratch, or through exposure of an open cut, or mucous membrane (i.e. rubbing eyes after touching saliva) to the saliva.
Rabies is fatal unless treatment is given before symptoms begin. Please contact your physician immediately if you or your pets are ever in contact with any wild animal and may be exposed to the rabies virus as described above. Treatment must begin immediately, before symptoms begin or it will be fatal. Your pet may need a booster rabies vaccination even if it is currently vaccinated. Also, please call The Health Department at 908-369-5652 immediately.
Rabies has been present in the wildlife population since 1989, and all of NJ is affected. Rabies can make animals appear unusually aggressive or friendly/passive.
Note: All pets should be currently vaccinated against rabies, do not leave pets unattended outdoors, and if you see a sick wild animal or a stray domestic animal, please contact Hillsborough’s animal control officers at Animal Control Solutions at 908-722-1271, or the Hillsborough Police at 908-369-4323.Please see the Hillsborough Township website:www.hillsborough-nj.org, departments, health, and “pets and wildlife” for more information on rabies and animal health. Be sure to license your dog so that you are sure it is current with rabies vaccinations. Licensing of dogs in New Jersey is a law. Rabies vaccinations of ALL cats and dogs, with few exceptions, is required in Hillsborough Township.
Feral cats: Please contact Animal Control Solutions to be put in contact with the Fix the Cats Program. The ACS phone number is 908-722-1271. Fix the Cat
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