NJ Health Officials Looking For Woman Who Rescued Rabid Raccoon
BURLINGTON, N.J. (CBS) -- The Burlington County Health Department is trying to identify the woman who helped an injured raccoon after the animal tested positive for rabies.
Officials say the woman removed the injured raccoon from the intersection of Route 130 and High Street on August 15.
The raccoon has now tested positive for rabies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death and early symptoms -- including fever and headaches -- are similar to less serious illnesses. However, health officials warn that as the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water).
The CDC reports that between one and two people die from rabies annually in the United States. They find that most of those deaths occur in people who fail to seek medical assistance and it's usually because they were unaware of their exposure in the first place.
The BCHD is asking that the woman contact them immediately at 609-265-5548.
