Bat Test Positive for Rabies in East Brunswick

A bat tested positive for rabies in East Brunswick, the Middlesex County Office of Health Services announced Friday. The animal was found in the vicinity of Farm Circle Road and Brantwood Court.

This is the eleventh rabid animal reported within Middlesex County so far this year, health officials said, and the fourth rabid animal reported in East Brunswick.

On Thursday, November 12, the Animal Control Officer for East Brunswick responded to a call about a bat that died at a resident’s home. The bat was sent to a state lab for testing, and it was reported on Friday that the bat tested positive for rabies.

The resident who tried to care for the bat was exposed to the animal, and they have been consulting with their physician, officials said.

A Middlesex County health official will be distributing rabies fact sheets to people in the area.

What is rabies?

Rabies is caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded mammals, including humans. 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. New Jersey has both raccoon and bat variants of rabies. Bats, raccoons, skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats, and dogs represent about 95% of animals diagnosed with rabies in the United States.

Signs an animal may have rabies include moving slowly, acting sick, problems swallowing, an increase in saliva, an increase in drooling, acting aggressive, difficulty moving, paralysis and biting at everything if excited.

Do not approach an animal you think has rabies. Call 911 right away.

Prevent rabies

1. Do not feed or handle wild animals.
2. Avoid contact with stray animals or pets other than your own.
3. Try to prevent your pets from coming into contact with wild animals.
4. Keep your yard and driveway free of trash and food that can attract wild animals.
5. Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats.
6. Immediately report a bite from a wild or domestic animal to 911.
7. Make sure all pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine.

Call your local health department for free rabies vaccination clinic availability.

The Middlesex County Office of Health Services continues to monitor rabies cases within the municipality.