Hiker bitten by rabid raccoon on McDade Recreational Trail

A visitor at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was bitten by a raccoon while hiking on the McDade Recreational Trail between Bushkill Access and the Valley View Campground on March 14, the National Parks Service (NPS) reported. The raccoon later tested positive for rabies. The NPS said it did not know if other animals in the park were affected.

Rabies is lethal to both humans and animals and is most often transmitted through the bites of infected animals. Any mammal can become infected with rabies. NPS noted that while not all sick animals will have rabies, the disease should be considered “in any case where an animal is acting aggressively for no apparent reason (i.e., is not protecting young, food sources, or territory) or is confused and not afraid of humans.”

If you see sick or dead wildlife, do not approach or touch it. Note the location and notify a park employee or call the park’s 24-hour emergency communications center at (570) 426-2457. Pets should be up to date on vaccinations and always kept on a leash. Notify park staff if contact with wildlife occurs or is suspected. Anyone who may have had contact with or was bitten or attacked by a wild animal in the park is asked to call the number above to report the incident. Visitors are reminded to observe and appreciate wildlife from a distance.

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

For more information on rabies, visit nps.gov.