For NJ and NYC residents concerned about their families and pets getting rabies by wildlife, especially raccoons, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service signed the first North American Rabies Management Plan with Canada and Mexico. The goal is to improve the cooperation and the communication among the three nations.
In the United States an oral rabies vaccination program is utilized to prevent rabies spreading in wildlife including raccoons, and coyotes. NJ and NYC residents should be aware that rabies from wild animals can be transmitted to dogs and other types of pets. Raccoons, skunks and other wildlife often live in urban settings such as NYC. Urban raccoons often live in sewer systems.
CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding mentioned that although tremendous improvements have been made in combating rabies, especially canine rabies, it’s still found in wildlife which puts people at risk.
Canine to canine rabies has been almost eliminated in the United States. Human cases of rabies mostly happens due to exposure to wildlife inflicted with rabies.
NJ and NYC residents that are having problems with raccoons and other wildlife can contact a NJ, NYC wild animal control professional.