Rabid Skunk Discovered In Parsippany: Officials

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Parsippany officials are warning of the importance of keeping your pets up-to-date on vaccinations after a rabid skunk was discovered in town.

The skunk, found off Druid Hill Drive, tested positive for the rabies virus last week.

Rabies is a lethal viral disease spread by the saliva of infected domestic and wild animals.

If your pet is bitten or attacked by a wild animal, notify the Parsippany Health Department at (973) 263-7160, as well as your veterinarian.

How To Protect Yourself From Rabies:

If a person is exposed to rabies, getting vaccinated right away can prevent the disease. Rabies can be spread from the bite of a rabid animal or when the animal’s saliva contacts a person’s mouth, eyes, or an open sore.

Rabies poses a real threat, especially to unvaccinated domestic animals. Pet owners should ensure that their animals are up-to-date with rabies vaccinations. Rabies occurs throughout New Jersey, including Morris County.

Bats are the animals most commonly found to have rabies. Skunks, foxes, raccoons, and unvaccinated domestic animals can also develop rabies.

Behavioral signs of rabid animals, wild or domestic, may include staggering, restlessness, aggression, a change in the tone of their barks or growls, or choking. Passive animals sometimes become fierce and aggressive. Nocturnal animals sometimes appear during the day.

If bitten or scratched by an unfamiliar animal or an animal suspected of having rabies, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and then seek medical attention.

Not all exposures require treatment. The Health Department and Animal Control staff will work to locate, capture, and test suspected animals to definitively identify if the animal is infectious.

Reporting bites is a legal obligation of exposed individuals and medical professionals to ensure any actions are taken to protect the individuals involved and the public at large.

Morris County's towns hold rabies clinics each year to vaccinate dogs and cats. Rabies vaccines are free and open to all New Jersey residents. There's no paperwork to bring to rabies clinics; all you need to bring is your pet.

For more information, click here.