Rabid Raccoons Discovered In Inwood Park, City Says

INWOOD, NY — Upper Manhattan residents are being told to keep a tight leash on their pets after rabid raccoons were discovered in an Inwood park.

Four infected animals were found in and around the expansive Inwood Hill Park since January, marking the first reported rabies outbreak among Manhattan's raccoon population since 2011, city health officials announced.

Neighborhood residents are being warned to stay away from and wild animals in parks following the outbreak. Pet owners should also take their animals to the veterinarian to make sure their vaccinations are up to date, city officals said.

"Rabies is a serious illness that poses a danger for you and your pets," said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbo. "Keep a close eye on your pets when you take them outside and if you see a wild animal – such as a raccoon – maintain a safe distance and do not approach it. Get your pets vaccinated against rabies, and if you think they’ve been bitten by a rabid animal, call 311."

The four rabies cases in Inwood Hill Park account for the majority of rabies cases discovered in the city this year. Only two other rabid raccoons have been reported — one in the Bronx and the other in Staten Island.

People and animals can be infected by a rabid animal if they are bitten, city officials said. Anyone who is bitten should immediately wash the wound and continue to wash it for an additional 10 to 15 minutes in order to kill any traces of the virus that may have entered the wound, city officials said. After washing the wound, people should consult a health care provider to see if they are at risk for rabies.