Mayor warns of rabies case in Oakland; Yaupau Avenue milling and paving dates announced

Mayor Eric Kamala warned residents at the Oct. 28 meeting that a young stray cat found on Roosevelt Boulevard "did test positive for rabies," and asked people not to feed or touch wildlife.

"Please do not feed or touch the wildlife," Kamala said, reading from a notice the borough sent to neighbors. He said letters had been distributed and advised anyone bitten or exposed to saliva from a stray to notify the health department and seek medical care immediately.

The mayor also provided a schedule for work on Yaupau Avenue, saying the milling would begin on 11/03/2025 with resident driveway access maintained; paving would follow on 11/06/2025 from McCoy Road to Page Drive and on 11/07/2025 from Page Drive to Ramapo Valley Road. He said the borough and the police department had arranged temporary parking on East Oak Street and Page Drive and that notifications had gone out to affected residents.

Why it matters: A confirmed rabies case in a residential area triggers public-health precautions for pet owners and residents who encounter wildlife; separate roadway work will affect traffic and driveway access in the neighborhoods near the high school entrance.

The mayor said borough animal-control staff and the health department were coordinating the response. He asked residents to maintain a respectful distance from wildlife and to report suspicious animal behavior such as aggression, circling or paralysis.

Procedural note: the dates and work schedule were presented by the mayor during the mayor's report at the council meeting; residents seeking further detail were directed to borough notices and public-works announcements.

The council did not take a separate vote on the public-health update; the meeting moved on to public comment and other agenda items.