Bat Found Near Princeton School Playground Tests Positive For Rabies

PRINCETON, NJ — A bat found near the Community Park School playground has tested positive for rabies, local officials said.

On Tuesday, around 9 a.m., staff from Princeton Recreation observed a brown bat alive and moving on the ground near the Community Park School Playground. Princeton Animal Control Officer Jim Ferry took possession of the bat and submitted it for testing at the New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratory.

On Wednesday, the bat tested positive for rabies, officials said.

Currently, no human exposures are known.

Anyone who may have been in physical contact with this bat is highly recommended to notify the Princeton Health Department for guidance and/or seek medical treatment.

If not treated, rabies is a fatal viral disease that can be prevented by avoiding contact with animals that may be rabid. If a person has significant exposure, getting vaccinated right away can also prevent disease.

Rabies can be spread from the bite or scratch 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.

All pets should be up to date with rabies vaccinations. Rabies occurs throughout New Jersey, including Princeton. Skunks, foxes, raccoons, groundhogs, bats and unvaccinated domestic animals can also develop rabies.

In Princeton, approximately three to six animals per year test positive for rabies, local officials said.

Here are some steps to protect from rabies:

• Make sure pets and domestic animals are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Keep children and pets from approaching or touching wild or strange animals.
• Make sure that any openings to your home such as crawl spaces, chimneys, attics, porches or garages are sealed or covered with thick wire screen to prevent entry by wild animals.
• Discourage wild animal foraging by not leaving pet food outside and by securing garbage cans.
• Avoid feeding, touching, or housing stray or wild animals.
• If you see a domestic animal (i.e. cat, dog) that is sick, injured, dead, orphaned or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Princeton Animal Control.
• If you see a wild animal (i.e. fox, skunk, raccoon), that is sick, injured, orphaned or behaving oddly, leave it alone and contact Princeton Animal Control. Do NOT handle the animal yourself.

Animal Control Daytime Number is (609) 924-2728; nights and weekends – call Police non-emergency number (609) 921-2100

For additional information on rabies, visit:

• https://www.princetonnj.gov/168/Animal-Control
• http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/rabies.shtml

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