Rabid Raccoon Attacks Three People in New Jersey Town

Raccoon Attacks in Westfield

• 🎯 A potentially rabid raccoon has been attacking people in Westfield, New Jersey, and remains at large.
• 🐾 The animal has bitten at least three individuals, with officials actively searching for it.

Victim Accounts

• 🤕 Tim Herszock described being bitten on his leg by the raccoon while trying to connect a hose at his home.
• 💬 He detailed how the raccoon "grabbed me with his hands" and began to "gnaw on my ankle."

Public Health Warnings

• ⚠️ Health officials have warned residents that the raccoon could potentially have rabies.
• 💉 Herszock received immediate medical attention and began a course of rabies vaccines, noting their high effectiveness but the fatal outcome if symptoms develop.
• 🩺 The CDC states that rabies is preventable with early vaccination.

Signs and Precautions

• 🧠 Signs of rabies in animals include difficulty walking, disorientation, and unprovoked aggression.
• 🐕 Residents are taking precautions, such as not letting dogs out alone, even in fenced yards.
• 🧒 An 8-year-old boy reported seeing a raccoon near the area of one of the attacks, prompting his mother to express concern for the safety of children and pets.
• 🐶 Health officials advise protecting pets by ensuring they are vaccinated and licensed.

Rabies Information

• 🔬 Health officials can only confirm if the raccoon is rabid by capturing it.
• 📉 Human rabies is rare in the US, with fewer than 10 cases reported annually.