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Two Ocean County Residents Exposed To Rabid Cat
OCEAN COUNTY - Rabies made its presence known once again in Ocean County as a feral cat in Brick scratched an elderly woman trying to feed it and also scratched an Animal Control officerattempting to take the animal into custody. According to an Ocean County Health Department spokesman, both persons are now undergoing appropriate medical procedures to prevent infection from the contact.
"The cat tested positive for rabies," said Edward Rumen, department public information officer."Therefore, protective medical procedures were required for those persons who came into contact with the animal."
Rumen said the cat was found in the vicinity of the Brick Township High School on Chambers Bridge Road.
"Animal Control officersout of the Jersey Shore Animal Center, which provides services to Brick Township, are presently canvassing the neighborhood, as well as visiting the post officeand municipal building to alert other groups that routinely take care of feral cats in the same area, warning them of the possibility of rabies in other animals," Rumen said.
"This unfortunate case is exactly why it is a bad idea to feed or attempt to care for a sicklooking feral cat," said Rumen.
"We recommend anyone finding a wild or homeless animal acting strangely to avoid contact with the animal and notify the local Animal Control officer,describing it and its location," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Board of Health. "I know we all want to help an animal in distress, but notifying an officialis the better course of action."
If you do not know the phone number of your municipal Animal Control officer,call your town clerk or police department for assistance.
Ella Boyd, VMD, public health coordinator, said, "It is important to get your family pets vaccinated for rabies, as even animals that never go outdoors can accidentally come into contact with a rabid animal, should the pet bolt out the door unexpectedly, or a rabid animal gain entrance into your house.
Any warm-blooded animal can be a potential rabies carrier.
Dr. Boyd offered the following hints a homeowner can take to limit family and pet exposure to rabies:
Animal-proof your house and yard. Make sure all garbage is stored in animal-resistant containers. Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats.
If you are bitten by an animal, Dr. Boyd said you should do the following:
Learn as much as you can about the animal. If the animal is with an owner, get the owner's name and address. If it's a stray or wild animal, try to remember the location where you last saw the animal and any identifying features on the animal for the Animal Control officerto use in tracking it later. If possible and without danger to you and others, try capturing and confiningthe animal.
Wash your wound immediately with plenty of soap and water.
Contact your physician, health care provider or hospital emergency department for wound care and consultation regarding the need for post exposure rabies treatment.
Report the incident to the Ocean County Health Department at 732-341-9700 ext. 7502.
For additional information on rabies, please visit the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Web site at www.state. nj.us/health/cd/.
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