Rabid Raccoon Bites Woman In Cheesequake State Park

OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A woman hiking in Cheesequake State Park was bitten by a rabid raccoon on Friday, Aug. 9, the Middlesex County Health Department announced.

The woman was bitten on a trail while walking through the park. County officials say the raccoon was sitting on the side of the trail when the woman approached it and was then bitten.

The animal was picked up by the Old Bridge Township Animal Control officer and was then taken to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing.

Results came back on Friday, August 16 that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

The woman was instructed to seek medical attention and rabies post-exposure treatment. The woman was only identified as a resident of Monmouth County; her name was not given.

This is the first case of rabies identified in Cheesequake, but the seventh rabid animal reported within Middlesex County for 2019. An animal may have rabies if it:

• Move slowly
• May act as if tame
• Appear sick
• Have problems swallowing
• Have and increase in saliva
• Have increased drooling
• Act aggressive
• Have difficulty moving
• Have paralysis
• Bite at everything if excited

Call 911 if you see such an animal. And never approach or try to touch wildlife. Related:

Rabid Bat Found In South Plainfield Home, Middlesex County Says (June 2019)

Sayreville: Rabid Skunk Attacks Dog, County Says (May 2019)

Middletown Cat Fought Rabid Raccoon, Health Dept. Says (April 2019)

Monroe Twp.: 2 People Exposed To Rabid Raccoon (April 2019)