Middlesex Boro Man Bitten By Rabid Raccoon, County Says

MIDDLESEX, NJ — A Middlesex Borough man was bitten in his backyard by a rabid raccoon, the county health department announced Friday afternoon. The animal has been euthanized and he is currently receiving rabies preventative shots as a precaution.

The incident happened Wednesday in the vicinity of Melrose Ave. and Mohawk Ave. in the borough, the county said.

The man tried to remove the raccoon from his backyard on Wednesday, May 9, and was subsequently bitten by it. The Animal Control Officer for Middlesex borough responded to the property and captured the raccoon. The raccoon was euthanized and later sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing.

It was reported on Friday, May 11 that the animal tested positive for rabies. The man is currently receiving rabies post-exposure treatment.

He was the only human exposed to the raccoon, and no pets were exposed, the county said.

This is the sixth rabid animal reported within Middlesex County for 2018 and the second rabid animal in Middlesex Borough.

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