🦝⚠️ RABIES EXPOSURES RISING NATIONWIDE: WHAT NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW 🐾
Health officials are warning New Jersey residents to avoid wildlife as rabies exposures rise nationwide. Raccoons and cats are the local animals most likely to carry the virus, which is fatal if left untreated after a bite or scratch.
📍 NEW JERSEY — Health officials are warning residents to take precautions around wildlife and unfamiliar animals following an increase in reported rabies exposures and preventive treatment across the United States.
The CDC issued a health advisory September 10 after receiving 17% more rabies-related inquiries in July and August 2026 than during the same period last year. At least eight state health departments also reported increased use of rabies post-exposure treatment, administration errors, or both.
🦝 RABIES IN NEW JERSEY
New Jersey continues to monitor rabies cases among animals across the state. The New Jersey Department of Health says rabies occurs most often in wildlife, with raccoons among the most frequently positive wild animals. Bats, skunks and foxes can also carry the virus, while cats are the domestic animal most frequently found to test positive in New Jersey.
Rabies can spread when saliva or nervous tissue from an infected animal enters the body, including through a bite, scratch or contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound.
🚨 WHAT TO DO AFTER A POSSIBLE EXPOSURE
If you are bitten or scratched by wildlife or an animal acting strangely:
🧼 Immediately wash the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes.
☎️ Contact a healthcare provider and your local health department promptly for a rabies risk assessment.
🐾 Do not attempt to capture a potentially rabid animal unless it can be done safely. Animal control or public health officials can help determine what should happen next.
The type of animal, its behavior, whether it can be tested or observed, and the circumstances of the exposure all factor into whether preventive treatment is recommended.
💉 RABIES TREATMENT
Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms develop, but it is preventable when appropriate post-exposure treatment is given before symptoms begin.
For people who have never previously been vaccinated against rabies, post-exposure treatment generally includes rabies vaccine and human rabies immune globulin. Previously vaccinated individuals receive a different vaccine schedule and do not receive immune globulin.
The CDC says there is currently no shortage of human rabies vaccine or immune globulin in the United States, although proper administration is important because mistakes can result in unnecessary treatment and additional costs.
🐶 PROTECT YOUR PETS
New Jersey health officials recommend keeping pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations and limiting their contact with wildlife. If your pet encounters wildlife or an animal that appears sick, contact your veterinarian and local animal control or health department for guidance.
⚠️ If you believe you or your pet may have been exposed to rabies, don't wait for symptoms to appear. Contact medical, veterinary or public health professionals promptly.
📰 Garden State News Network Informing & Connecting New Jersey.