New Rabid Raccoon Found In Suffolk County: Health Dept.

AMITYVILLE, NY — Rabies has been confirmed in a raccoon in Suffolk County for the sixth time this year.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services reported that a dead raccoon found in Amityville on May 10 tested positive for rabies.

There was no human or pet contact with the raccoon, officials said.

This is the sixth case of locally acquired terrestrial rabies reported in the Amityville area this year.

The first case was found in January in North Amityville, and the fourth was reported in April, Patch reported.

Before this year, Suffolk County had not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009.

"I am concerned that the warmer weather could bring more interaction between wildlife and pets. We encourage residents in the southwestern part of Suffolk County to keep their pets close to them and check to make sure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 26 bats collected in Suffolk County. Each year, roughly 3 to 6 percent of the bats sent to the New York State lab from Suffolk County have tested positive for rabies.

According to officials, rabies is a viral disease transmitted from infected mammals to humans and can lead to death if left untreated. Early symptoms include irritability, headache, fever and sometimes itching at the site of exposure. Within days, the disease progresses to paralysis, spasms of the throat muscles, convulsions, delirium, and death.

People can get rabies if they are exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid animal through a bite. It is also possible, although rare, that people can get rabies if infectious material, such as saliva, from a rabid animal, gets directly into their eyes, nose, mouth or a wound.

Residents should never approach or have contact with a stray or wild animal. Anyone who sees a stray or wild animal acting strangely should alert local authorities immediately to avoid possible exposure to rabies. Any physical contact with a wild or unfamiliar animal should also be reported to a health care provider.

Keeping pet rabies vaccinations up to date is also important for protection against rabies, according to health officials. New York State law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies and receive regular booster shots.

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333 during business hours, or at 631-852-4820 outside of normal business hours. If possible, contain the animal so that it can be tested.

If you live in Babylon, Huntington, Islip, or Smithtown and encounter a dead raccoon, report it to php@suffolkcountyny.gov or call 631-852-5900 during business hours.