Tenth rabid raccoon found in Suffolk, as rabies vaccine bait is dropped this week
A rabies vaccine packet designed for raccoons to eat was dropped this week in wooded areas of Suffolk County. Credit: Suffolk Health Department
A 10th rabid raccoon has been found in Suffolk County — the second one from Deer Park that has tested positive this year, Suffolk health officials said,
Another eight rabid raccoons were found earlier this year in the Amityville area, the first on Jan. 28.
In July, Newsday reported that Nassau County officials declared rabies an "imminent public health threat," warning residents to protect their pets and stay away from wild animals.
Including a rabid raccoon reported earlier this month, there were 23 reported rabies cases for 2025 in Nassau County — 22 raccoons and one cat, health department spokesperson Alyssa Zohrabian said.
To try and stem the spread of the disease, the Suffolk health department this week distributed raccoon bait filled with oral rabies vaccine in wooded areas of Babylon, Huntington, Smithtown and Islip towns.
Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County’s health commissioner, in a release, said he expected the baiting program would "contain and eliminate" rabies among Suffolk's wild animals.
Before this year, Suffolk County had not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009.
Rabies is a virus and is potentially fatal if left untreated. Initial symptoms include headache and fever but it can progress to convulsions and death. It can be contracted through exposure to saliva or tissue from a rabid animal through a bite.
State and county law requires all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies.
The Suffolk health department and Islip town is offering free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Town of Islip Animal Shelter at 200 S. Technology Dr., Central Islip.
Babylon, Huntington, Islip, or Smithtown residents can report dead raccoons to php@suffolkcountyny.gov or call 631-852-5900 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sarra Sounds Off: Soccer scene and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Jolie Katzen and Michael Sicoli recap the girls and boys soccer scene, and Jared Valluzzi has a look at the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off: Soccer scene and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Jolie Katzen and Michael Sicoli recap the girls and boys soccer scene, and Jared Valluzzi has a look at the plays of the week.
