Rabies Alert in Parsippany: Health Department Confirms Infected Raccoon

Residents Urged to Exercise Caution Following Rabies Case in Local Wildlife

Parsippany, NJ – The Parsippany Troy-Hills Health Department issued a critical advisory on December 28, 2023, after a raccoon in the vicinity of Yacenda Drive tested positive for rabies. This discovery has raised concerns about the potential spread of this fatal virus among warm-blooded animals, including pets and humans.

Rabies, primarily transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals, poses a significant health risk. The virus, present in the saliva of infected animals, can infect others upon contact. Common carriers include raccoons, skunks, foxes, woodchucks, bats, and feral cats. The Health Department advises the public to avoid interaction with wild animals and unfamiliar pets, emphasizing the importance of not feeding stray animals or adopting wild animals as pets.

To reduce the risk of attracting carriers, residents are urged to secure garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and to clean up any spilled bird seed. Extended outdoor exposure of pet food is also discouraged.

In case of exposure through a bite or scratch, immediate action is crucial. The recommended response involves washing the wound with soap and water, contacting a physician, and notifying the Health Department at (973)-263-7160. Pet owners are also advised to reach out to the Parsippany Health Department and their veterinarian if their pet has an encounter with a wild animal.

The Health Department stresses the importance of maintaining up-to-date rabies vaccinations for pets. For further information or to report abnormal behavior in stray animals, residents can contact Parsippany Animal Control at 973-263-7083. This proactive approach aims to safeguard the community against the spread of rabies and ensure public health and safety.