Parsippany Issues Rabies Advisory

PARSIPPANY, NJ—The Parsippany Health Department issued a rabies advisory on Thursday night, after a skunk found in the township tested positive for the virus.

The announcement was issued after the animal was found on South Roosevelt Avenue in the Lake Hiawatha area. Skunks are common carriers of the virus, as are raccoons, foxes, and other small wild animals, according to the township. Several rabid animals were found in Parsippany last year.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, the Rabies virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite. It also may be possible to spread the virus through an open cut or via the eyes.

"Left untreated, rabies attacks the nervous system and causes death," the department of health website said. "Animals infected with rabies display strange behavior such as aggression, and signs of neurologic impairment including vocalization, circling, and paralysis."

The Parsippany Health Department said residents should stay away from wild animals and stressed that stray animals should not be fed or made into pets. Ensuring pets are up to date with their Rabies vaccinations is key to keeping them healthy, the statement added.

Anyone observing a stray or wild animal in the area acting strangely should contact Parsippany Animal Control at 973-263-7083.

The N.J. Department of Health advises anyone bitten by an animal to:

• Clean the wound immediately with soap and water.
• Seek prompt medical attention from a physician or hospital emergency department.
• Report the bite to the local health department.

The American Veterinary Health Association advises anyone whose pet has been bitten by an animal to:

• Consult your veterinarian immediately and report the bite to local animal control authorities.
• Even if your dog, cat or ferret has a current vaccination, he/she should be revaccinated immediately, kept under the owner’s control, and observed for a period as specified by state law or local ordinance. Animals with expired vaccinations will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.