Home / Health / Rabid Bat Found in NJ Home; Cats Exposed
Rabid Bat Found in NJ Home; Cats Exposed
1 Aug
Summary
- A rabid bat was discovered in a Haddonfield, New Jersey home's attic.
- Three vaccinated cats were exposed and are now under observation.
- New Jersey recorded 26 rabies cases by March this year.
Rabies remains a significant concern in New Jersey, with 26 cases documented by the close of March this year. A recent incident in Haddonfield involved a rabid bat discovered in a home's attic, leading to potential exposure for three household cats.
Officials confirmed no human exposures occurred. The affected cats, already vaccinated, received booster shots and will be confined for a 45-day observation period. This event highlights the recurring issue of rabies in the state, which recorded 174 cases last year.
Rabies is a preventable but potentially fatal illness once symptoms appear. Experts advise homeowners to seal entry points in homes and contact professionals for wild animal removal. Human rabies cases are rare in New Jersey, with the last known contraction in 1997.
