Middlesex County health officials reported a groundhog and a raccoon tested positive for rabies in Old Bridge and Spotswood.
OLD BRIDGE -- A groundhog has tested positive for rabies in the vicinity of Darwin Road and Bentley Avenue, county health authorities said.
A raccoon has also tested positive for rabies in the vicinity of Burlington Avenue and Madie Avenue in Spotswood, the first in the borough, according to the Middlesex County Office of Health Services.
This is the third case of rabies reported in Old Bridge in 2016, but the two animals are 9th and 10th overall in Middlesex County.
The groundhog was found acting strangely and aggressive in a resident's backyard on June 29, according to a statement released through the county's communications office Tuesday.
The statement said the groundhog attacked the resident's pet potbellied pig and was killed by the resident who called animal control.
The groundhog was sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Healthy Laboratory for testing and the lab reported Friday, July 1, that the animal tested positive for rabies, the statement said.
The county said the pig is considered exposed to the rabid animal and the N. J. Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division will be handling its quarantine.
The four residents in the home have received rabies post exposure treatment, according to the statement, which added that environmental health specialists from the office of health services will be distributing rabies fact sheets within the area.
In Spotswood, the raccoon was found acting aggressively on June 29 in a resident's yard by the owner's two pet dogs and a fight took place. The raccoon was killed by the owner and was sent to the state Department of Health Laboratory which reported back Tuesday that the animal tested positive for rabies, according to a statement from the county communications office.
The dogs are considered exposed to the rabid animal and, while they have been treated by a veterinarian following the incident, they will be quarantined for 45 days, the statement said. The two residents were given a letter to see a physician regarding possible post rabies exposure treatment. Environmental health specialists will be distributing rabies fact sheets within their area as well.
Rabies is caused by a virus that can infect all warm-blooded mammals, including humans. The virus is found in the saliva of a rabid animal and is transmitted by a bite, or possibly by contamination of an open cut.
Health officials warn people to immediately report a bite from a wild or domestic animal to your local health department and immediately report any wild animal showing signs of unusual behavior.
Officials said be sure all pets are up to date with their rabies vaccinations and animal proof homes and yards.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.