NEW TELEPHONE HOURS TO CONTACT THE NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

On Thursday August 12th, residents may call 571-2500 until 11:00 p.m. On Friday August 13th, residents may call 571-2500 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. From Saturday August 14th through Friday August 20th call 571-2500 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.

The Nassau County Department of Health is asking residents to call 571-2500 regarding raccoons that might have rabies if:

• They own property in the vicinity of Brookville and are willing to allow raccoon traps on their property
• They see any sick animal, especially raccoons, or any animal with bite wounds
• They see dead animals (such as road kill) for possible collection and rabies testing
• They have seen any sick or animals acting abnormally within the past month

Following Nassau County's first reported incident of rabies found in a raccoon, the Nassau County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health are continuing to conduct surveillance to determine if this is an isolated incident or the beginning of the spread of terrestrial rabies in Nassau County. Trapping is continuing within a ½ mile radius of where the animal was killed in Brookville.

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, the virus may also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with cut, open, or scratched skin lesions. To protect themselves from exposure to possible rabies, residents are advised to take the following measures:

• Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evenings.
• Do not touch or have contact with any animal other than your own.
• Do not touch dying or dead animals. If you must move them, use a shovel, wear heavy rubber gloves and double bag the carcass.
• Advise your family against approaching any unknown animal -- wild or domestic -- especially those acting in an unusual way.
• Instruct your children to tell you immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.
• Notify the Health Department if a bat is found in a room where adults or children were sleeping, or if an adult enters a room and finds a bat with a child.
• Do not feed unknown animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home by keeping garbage cans tightly covered. Avoid storing any food including pet food outside.
• Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccination, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses.

New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that’s overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination, but this immunization must be administered within five days of exposure. If you care for your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.

Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-2500 and immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room. For information regarding rabies, call (516) 571-2500 or visit the department website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/Health