Rabies-Positive Beaver Attacks in New Jersey

A beaver at a lake in New Jersey has tested positive for rabies after coming into contact with several people over the past weekend, as reported by local health officials.

On Sunday, May 3rd, the Mahwah Health Department confirmed the incident involving the beaver at Lake Henry. They indicated that the beaver had interacted with multiple individuals, leading to its rabies diagnosis.

According to the health department, those who were bitten are undergoing treatment. If you were in contact with the beaver, they urge you to reach out to the Mahwah Township Health Department as soon as possible for a medical assessment.

The public has been advised to steer clear of wildlife, as rabies can be carried by any warm-blooded animal.

Police received a report of the incident around 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, which involved an eight-year-old boy fishing from the shore. The beaver reportedly charged him, causing the child to flee. Unfortunately, he tripped and was bitten in the upper thigh during the attack.

The child was then taken to a local hospital for treatment. Animal control officers arrived on the scene and noticed signs of illness in the beaver, which was subsequently captured and submitted for testing.

There hasn’t been further commentary from the Mahwah Police Department at this time.

Rabies, as described by the Mayo Clinic, is a severe virus often transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals, with bites being the most common method of spread. Early symptoms might mimic flu-like conditions and can last for several days, followed by more severe signs such as fever, headache, nausea, confusion, and difficulty swallowing.

In Canada, rabies is predominantly spread by animals like bats, skunks, and foxes. Despite this, both Canada and the United States report a relatively low prevalence of rabies among wildlife, though it does occur more frequently in wild animals than in pets or livestock.