United States: The Camden County Health Department confirmed that a rabid raccoon infamously attacked both a dog and someone else during two incidents throughout Collingswood last week.
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A resident from Collingswood alerted animal control services to find their dog fighting with a raccoon at their property on April 8, based on officials’ statement.
The raccoon remains elusive, and animal control staff failed to discover the animal, as nj.com reported.
Rabid Raccoon Sparks Panic
A second resident found a raccoon during their walk on April 9. According to official statements, animal control staff obtained the raccoon to test at the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory.
Authorities indicated that the same raccoons are most likely involved because of their geographical relation despite the uncertain confirmation.
🚨BREAKING | Fourth Rabid Raccoon Found
— Citizen NYC (@CitizenAppNYC) April 16, 2025
Officials will be putting out bait to vaccinate raccoons in the area. Here's where they are targeting 👇
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The Camden County health department confirmed on Tuesday that the raccoon had rabies in its blood results.
According to Commissioner Virginia Betteridge, liaison to the Camden County Health Department, “Although rabies is a serious illness, it can be prevented by early treatment,” nj.com reported.
“If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention,” Betteridge added.
Health Officials Urge Immediate Medical Action
Local health officials stated that every person possibly exposed to the raccoon has access to post-exposure prophylaxis treatment for rabies.
The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the dog’s vaccination records before restricting the animal to its place of confinement, along with 45 days of medical observation, per a press release.
Rabies functions as an infection that attacks the brain cells of the nervous system.
The disease moves from the brain to salivary glands during its terminal stages, which transforms animals into transmitters of infection during the hours before death.