Health officials in Somerset and Middlesex counties issued health alerts about possible rabid animals.

Middlesex County health officials say a skunk tested positive for rabies in Piscataway, making it the fifth rabid animal reported countywide this year and the second one in Piscataway alone. They say a resident's dog was exposed to the deceased skunk. Testing showed that the dog hadn't been exposed to any humans.

In Warren, Somerset County, a teenager received rabies treatment after the teen and a dog were reportedly attacked by a fox during the first week of July. During the same week, two other residents reported being attacked and were treated.

"This was somewhat unusual because of the number of occurrences within a short period of time," said Middlebrook Regional Health Commission director Kevin Sumner. "As the state becomes more developed, the likelihood of interaction with animals increases so we want people to be cautious."

The fox or foxes in Warren haven't been found yet in order for rabies testing to occur.

Rabies cases in humans are very rare but often fatal. Animal exposure is more common, which is why pets should be vaccinated.

"For dogs, it is a law. For cats, it's often a local requirement of the municipality," said Sumner.

Experts recommend taking these safety precautions: