Monmouth County NJ health officials are dealing with the aftermath of a rabies exposure last month.
In early February, the New Jersey Department of Health announced that a dog belonging to a family that lives in Aberdeen NJ died as a result of rabies. The dog, a two-year-old male pitbull, had not been kept up to date on required rabies vaccination.
In addition to putting down the afflicted dog, Monmouth County authorities removed five other dogs from the residence and placed them under quarantine at a different location.
Christopher Merkel, a Monmouth County public health official, issued a statement reminding all residents in Monmouth County and elsewhere in New Jersey to check the vaccination and health records of their pets. Those records, said Merkel, need to be kept current.
After receiving word of the rabies contamination, Monmouth County animal control officers worked with local health officials to investigate the incident. Investigators soon found out about two people who may have been exposed to the rabies-infected dog.
Now two more people have come forward with possible rabies infections after being exposed to the rabid dog. Those individuals underwent preventative treatment for rabies.
In response to the public health issue, the Monmouth County Health Department hosted a rabies clinic in Aberdeen, New Jersey. The free clinic was held at the Aberdeen Public Works facility, located at 147 Lenox Road in the township’s Cliffwood Beach area, and provided Monmouth County residents with an opportunity to have their pets vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies is a disease that can affect a person’s central nervous system and, if untreated, can result in death. It is extremely rare for a domesticated animal to be afflicted with rabies in New Jersey. When a person is exposed to a rabid dog and suffers a dog bite injury, it is imperative that they seek immediate medical treatment.
Monmouth County authorities have asked that anyone who may have been exposed to the diseased dog contact the Monmouth County Health Department at 732-431-7456 or 732-845-2004.
To learn more, access the following article: Two more people treated in Aberdeen rabies case