The Suffolk County Department of Health Services reported that a dead raccoon found in Amityville on March 4, 2025, tested positive for rabies. The confirmation was received from the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health late afternoon on March 7, 2025. There was no known human or animal contact with the raccoon.
This is the second case of locally acquired terrestrial rabies this year. The first case was found on January 28, 2025, in North Amityville. Before this year, Suffolk County had not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009.
Since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 24 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.
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from infected mammals to humans. Left untreated, it can lead to death. 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.
Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said, “We are very concerned that rabies is spreading along our western border, and we ask for the public’s help: First, ensure that your pets are vaccinated for rabies. Next, take appropriate precautions when you are out and among wild animals. Finally, if you live in the towns of Babylon, Huntington, Islip or Smithtown and encounter a dead raccoon, contact us at the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.”
Precautions are as follows:
New York State and Suffolk County law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating your pet not only provides protection for the animal, but vaccinated pets act as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people. It is very important to make sure that these animals, as well as livestock and horses, have current rabies vaccinations.
To further protect yourself from possible exposure to rabies:
• Keep dogs, cats, and ferrets on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evening.
• Do not have contact with any animal other than your own.
• Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home.
• Do not touch dead or dying animals. Use a shovel, wear rubber gloves and double-bag the carcass, if you need to move them.
• Do not approach an unknown animal, either wild or domestic, especially if it is acting unusually.
• Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside.
• Children should be advised to tell an adult immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.
To prevent the possible spread of the rabies virus, no one, including trappers and nuisance wildlife rehabilitators, should transport and relocate any wild animals at this time.
The public is asked to report sightings of abnormally acting raccoons to the Suffolk County Police Department by calling (631) 852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.
Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at (631) 854-0333 on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Outside of normal business hours, report animal bites or contact with wild animals to the department at (631) 852-4820. If possible, contain the animal so that it can be tested.
For more information on rabies, visit the New York State Department of Health website at https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/rabies/fact_sheet.htm, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/.