The Middlesex County Health Department issued an alert about a raccoon that tested positive for rabies in South Brunswick.

Officials say the raccoon was found near Deans Lane on July 20. They say the raccoon had an encounter with a resident’s dog. The raccoon was found and taken in for testing.

The virus is found in the saliva of an infected animal. It can be transmitted by a bite or by contamination of an open wound. Some variants of rabies are native to New Jersey.

"We had a case of a resident finding their pet dog come in contact with a raccoon. The most important thing we need to tell residents - all residents - is always vaccinate your pets…for rabies,” says Robert Uhrick, senior environmental health specialist for South Brunswick.

Some guidelines to prevent rabies include: