A groundhog that attacked a homeowner in Mullica Township has tested positive for rabies, according to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health.
The groundhog was found on the 1300 block of Weekstown Road on July 27, 2026, after it attacked the homeowner, health officials said. It was sent to a state laboratory for testing, where officials confirmed it was positive for rabies on July 31.
Health officials said the case is the second confirmed rabies case in Atlantic County this year. The first involved a raccoon found in Mullica Township in late January.
An investigation by the Atlantic County Division of Public Health identified one human exposure and two outdoor cat exposures.
The homeowner is receiving post-rabies-exposure treatment, and the two outdoor cats have been placed under a four-month informal observation period.
Health officials said that rabies can be transmitted through direct contact with saliva, broken skin, or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth. If left untreated, rabies can be fatal.
Human cases result from a bite by an infected animal, health officials said. If you are bitten by an animal, you should wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention.
