Recently, the Hillsborough Health Department tested a groundhog that bit two people outside of a business at 311 Amwell Road – The Landing business complex, on Wednesday, June 25. 

This animal tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, and is contagious to humans through a bite (most often), scratch, or open cut/mucous membrane exposure to the virus. The virus lives in the central nervous system fluid and saliva of the affected animal. This infectious fluid must enter the host’s body through an opening put there by a bite, or a scratch, or through exposure of an open cut, or mucous membrane (rubbing eyes after touching saliva) to the saliva, according to a press release through Hillsborough Township.

Rabies is fatal unless treatment is given before symptoms begin. Contact your physician immediately if you or your pets are ever in contact with any wild animal and may be exposed to the rabies virus as described above. Treatment must begin immediately, before symptoms begin or it will be fatal. Your pet may need a booster rabies vaccination even if it is currently vaccinated. Also, contact The Health Department at (908) 369-5652 immediately.

Rabies has been present in the wildlife population since 1989, and all of New Jersey is affected. Rabies can make animals appear unusually aggressive or friendly/passive. Please be absolutely sure all pets are currently vaccinated against rabies, do not leave pets unattended outdoors, and if you see a sick wild animal or a stray domestic animal, contact Hillsborough’s animal control officers at Animal Control Solutions at (908) 722-1271, or the Hillsborough Police Department at (908) 369-4323.

Visit the Hillsborough Township website at www.hillsborough-nj.org, departments, health, and “pets and wildlife” for more information on rabies and animal health. Licensing of dogs in New Jersey is a law. Rabies vaccinations of all cats and dogs, with few exceptions, is required in Hillsborough Township.