A bat found in Hamilton Township has tested positive for rabies, health officials anno9unced.
The confirmation Friday is the fifth case this year, after a cat, two raccoons and a skunk previously tested positive.
The bat was found by a resident Wednesday in the 4800 block of Bala Court, and sent to the lab for testing, Atlantic County health officials said.
Four people and three cat reside at the home, according to the investigation. One individual is receiving post exposure treatment and three others were urged to seek medical attention.
The cats will be under confinement for 45 days to four months, depending on their vaccination history.
A rabies vaccination is recommended for domestic animals to protect not only the pet but also the pet owner and family members who could contract rabies from an infected pet, health officials said.
Rabies is fatal if left untreated. It can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose or mouth.
Most human cases of rabies are the result of a bite from an infected animal.
If bitten by an animal, the person should wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention, according to health officials. All bites should be reported to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health at 609-645-5971.
Free rabies vaccination clinics are held monthly for dogs and cats by appointment only at the Atlantic County Animal Shelter at 240 Old Turnpike in Pleasantville.
The next clinic is from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10, with appointments available online at www.aclink.org/animalshelter.
Public health officials advise residents to teach children to stay away from wild, stray or aggressive animals. Never feed or touch wild animals or try to keep them as pets.
Residents should ensure trash cans have secure lids to prevent wildlife from foraging for food and not leave pet food outside. Many animals are also attracted to bird seed.
If you see wildlife that is behaving strangely, especially nocturnal animals such as skunks and raccoons found during daylight hours, do not approach the animal. Instead, call your local Animal Control Officer. Contact information is available on the county web site at: www.aclink.org/animal-shelter/municipal.asp
File photo by Todd Cravens on Unsplash
