Potentially rabid groundhog: first rabies case of 2023 in Delaware reported

WILMINGTON, Del. - The Delaware Division of Public Health has announced its first reported rabies case of 2023. 

The division says during the week of June 12 to 18, it received a report of someone's pet dog who had been exposed to a potentially rabid groundhog near Bringhurst Woods Park on Washington Street near Carr Road in Wilmington.

The division says the groundhog was tested for rabies and the results came back positive on Friday, June 16. Both the pet owner and their dog have been advised to receive prophylaxis for rabies.

The division encourages anyone who thinks they might have been bitten, scratched by, or come across a groundhog or feral cat in this area to contact their health care provider or call the division's rabies program at 302-744-4995. Anyone in the area who thinks a groundhog may have bitten their pet should call their veterinarian to have their pet examined and treated, and the exposure reported to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.   

• Because animals can carry rabies without appearing sick, it is important to keep your distance from wild and unknown animals.

• Wear thick gloves if you are handling a community cat if you do not know it's vaccination history.

• Avoid hand-feeding wildlife.   

• Teach children to not touch any unfamiliar animal and ask an adult to help immediately if a child is bitten or scratched by any animal.   

• If a wild animal is on your property, keep your distance. Bring children and pets indoors and tell neighbors who might be outside. You may contact a nuisance wildlife control expert who will remove the animal for a fee. These professionals can be reached at wildlifehelp.org.   

• Feed pets indoors.   

• Tightly cap or put away garbage cans where animals can't access them.

• Leave orphaned animals alone. Often, the parents are close by and will return for their young.   

• Because pets can get rabies from wildlife and could then spread it to humans, preventing rabies in pets  is also an important step in protecting yourself and others.   

• Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets are properly immunized against rabies. Remember, it’s the law. Offenders may be subject to fines.  

• For more information about the state’s low-cost spay-neuter program for low-income pet owners, visit fixedandfab.com. For those that qualify, a rabies vaccination is also provided at no cost. Residents may also check with their local animal shelters and humane organizations for additional low-cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics they offer the community.    

• The best thing you can do for the community cats in your neighborhood is to vaccinate them, have them spayed or neutered and return them to where you found them.   

• Keep family pets indoors at night. Never leave a pet outside unattended or let them roam free.   

• Consider vaccinating livestock and horses as well. Consult with your private veterinarian if you have questions about whether your animal(s) should be vaccinated against rabies.    

• If another animal injures your pet or presents with an unknown wound after being outdoors, contact your veterinarian for medical care. Your pet may need to be quarantined for a short time to ensure they were not exposed to a rabid animal.   

The division says for more resources, you can call the division's rabies hotline by calling 302-744-4990.