Wildlife Expert Offers Tips For Humans, Pets Amid Nassau Rabies Health Threat

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — With two dozen cases of rabies reported in Nassau County since last summer, the Department of Health issued a public health warning on Monday.

"There is no cause for alarm, as we not yet received any reports of any human transmission," Health Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman said. "However, the time for prevention is now."

The rabies cases involve feral cats and raccoons.

"People should always remember to keep wildlife wild, so they shouldn't be feeding raccoons or any other wildlife," said John Di Leonardo, President and Executive director of Humane Long Island.

Keeping garbage and pet food secure to avoid attracting animals is another way to avoid wildlife coming to close to your property.

With regards to pets, Di Leonardo said it's important to keep them in the house at all times — and not just during a rabies threat.

"There's really no reason to be letting you cats outdoors," he said. "You put them outside and they're at risk of all sorts of diseases [and] car accidents. They're going to die in an early grave."

Simply put, Di Leonardo said, make sure to treat all domestic pets as such, which includes regular veterinarian visits and vaccination updates. Dogs should always be on a leash or under supervision, he added.

This rabies concern comes as it was eradicated in Nassau by the end of 2016.

"Rabies is very preventable with a vaccination and if you're not hand-feeding wildlife, you're at very low risk of getting rabies," Di Leonardo told Patch.

Not every raccoon or feral cat is going to have rabies, he said. It's important to know the signs and stay clear of the animal, especially if they appear sick, aggressive or unusually friendly.

Another often spotted animal in Nassau are possums, but Di Leonardo said they are unlikely to spread rabies. They "have a low body temperature that makes them practically immune to rabies," he said.

To report exposure, call 516-227-9663 or email: rabies@nassaucountyny.gov to report any suspicious animals.