Lebanon Township: Rabid coyote bites 2 people at Point Mountain Reservation

Nick Muscavage | Courier News and Home News Tribune

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Update: This story has been updated to reflect new information provided by the Hunterdon County Department of Health. There were two people bitten by a rabid coyote, not one.

LEBANON TOWNSHIP – A rabid coyote bit two people at the Point Mountain Reservation on Saturday.

The Hunterdon County Health Department and Parks Department issued a public alert on Thursday after the coyote tested positive for rabies.

Anyone who may have had been exposed to the coyote near the area of the Point Mountain Reserve between the dates of Oct. 13 and Oct. 27 should notify their primary care physician immediately or visit a local hospital emergency department to discuss the need for rabies post-exposure treatment, according to county officials.

The bite occurred at the Central Section of the reservation. No further information was released.

The county is working in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Warren County Health Department and Hunterdon County Animal Control Officers.

Hunterdon County is already working with several people exposed to the coyote to ensure appropriate medical treatment to prevent illness.

Point Mountain Reservation Central Section will remain closed through Sunday, Nov. 3.

"The coyote that tested positive for rabies was captured by animal control officers. In order to test for rabies, the animal must be euthanized," said Karen DeMarco, director and health officer for Hunterdon County Department of Health. "The Health Department is responsible for transporting the animal specimen to the New Jersey Department of Health laboratory for testing for rabies."

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that, if left untreated, attacks the nervous system and causes death.

The virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, or possibly by saliva contamination of an open cut or the eyes.

Rabies can be prevented through timely post-exposure treatment for humans, and vaccination of pets.

To avoid exposure to rabies, residents are reminded:

Do not to approach stray or wild animals at any time.

Vaccinate your pets against rabies and keep vaccinations up-to-date.

Avoid contact with strays or pets other than your own.

Report unusual behavior in stray or wild animals to municipal animal control.

Hunterdon County Health officials are communicating with medical care providers to ensure they have the most up to date information on rabies and that the appropriate medication is being provided to those exposed.

The most dangerous and common route of rabies exposure is from the bite of a rabid mammal or exposure to their saliva.

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If residents are bitten or scratched by a wild or stray animal, they are advised to seek medical treatment immediately and report any exposures to the health department.

"It is important to remember that rabies is fatal if left untreated but preventable with vaccines for animals or timely treatment after exposure for humans," Hunterdon County health officials said.

For more information residents are encouraged to call the health department at 908-788- 1351. After hours and on weekends, call 908-788-1202. To reach Lebanon Township Animal Control Officer Laura Roerig, call 908-537-7663.

Staff Writer Nick Muscavage: 908-243-6615; ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com