Rabid Raccoon Found in Suffolk County: Health Dept.

AMITYVILLE, NY — Rabies has been confirmed in a raccoon in Suffolk County.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services reported that a dead raccoon found in North Amityville on Jan. 28 tested for rabies. The confirmation was received from the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health on Feb. 7. There was no known human or animal contact with the raccoon, officials said.

This is the first case of locally acquired terrestrial rabies since 2009, official said. Since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 23 bats collected in Suffolk County and each year, roughly 3 to 6 percent of the bats sent to the New York State lab from Suffolk County test positive for rabies. In December, two racoons in Suffolk County tested positive for canine distemper.

"I am very concerned about the spread of terrestrial rabies into Suffolk County. We have greatly enhanced our surveillance of terrestrial rabies since learning of raccoon rabies cases in Nassau County," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services." We urge residents to vaccinate their pets and take appropriate precautions with wild animals."

According to the department of health, 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. All animal bites or contact with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the County Health Department.

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. More information can be found here or by calling 631-852-4820.