North Brunswick has its first two rabies cases and Middlesex County has its 13th and 14th cases of rabies in 2016.
NORTH BRUNSWICK -- Two rabid animals were found, one Sunday and one Monday in the township -- the first cases this year found in North Brunswick.
A raccoon acting strangely was captured on Sunday by animal control officers in the vicinity of Constitution Circle and Society Hill Way. The raccoon died and was sent to the New Jersey Department of Health Laboratory for testing. The results came back Tuesday that the animal tested positive for rabies.
A bat was found acting strangely on Monday in a township resident's yard in the vicinity of Adams Lane and 6th Street. Animal control officers captured the bat, which later died and was sent to the state laboratory for testing. The bat also tested positive for rabies.
County health officials said the two cases were the first and second cases of rabies this year in North Brunswick but were the 13th and 14th cases in Middlesex County.
Environmental health specialists were distributing rabies fact sheets within the areas where the two rabid animals were found, officials said.
Officials said residents should report wild animals showing signs of unusual behavior to the police department. They also recommend residents avoid contact with wild animals, immediately report any bites from wild or domestic animals to local health departments and consult a physician as soon as possible. Officials recommend all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and licenses.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.