BUSHKILL, PA — A raccoon tested positive for rabies last week after being reported for strange behavior near the Smithfield Beach commercial launch. The park urges visitors who have had physical contact with wildlife to notify park staff and seek medical attention immediately.   

 

Rabies is a viral disease that is spread through saliva during a bite, scratch, or mucus membrane contact with an infected animal. Rabies is very preventable in humans with proper medical care given shortly after an exposure to the rabies virus, but it’s almost always fatal if untreated before disease develops.  

 

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is working with National Park Service Office of Health and Safety and Wildlife Health Branch to protect the health and safety of visitors and wildlife in the park by testing sick or dead wildlife and notifying the public when rabies is detected in the park.    

 

The best way to avoid rabies is to keep your distance from wildlife. Visitors should observe all wildlife from a safe and respectful distance and never pick up or touch a wild animal. Visitors with pets should ensure that all rabies vaccinations are up to date and should discuss any wildlife bites with their veterinarian. As always, pets in the park must be on a 6-foot leash at all times. Please see Pets - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) for more information. 

 

For more information on rabies visit Rabies (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) or Rabies | CDC. For information on wildlife safety visit Wildlife Safety - Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).