The New York State Department of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have completed distributing raccoon rabies vaccine by hand and by helicopter. The distribution was completed by September 14th. The State will evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccination effort in October.

To date, the New York State Department of Health has confirmed nine (9) raccoons with rabies in Nassau County. The last two were found in Brookville (9/17) and Roslyn Harbor (9/19). All nine raccoons were located within the vaccination area.

“At this point, we hope that the vaccine baiting will prevent the spread of raccoon rabies beyond the immediate area where rabid raccoons have been trapped or found,” said Dr. David M. Ackman, Commissioner of Health. “If rabies is not contained at this point, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the spread across the island.”

The attached map outlines the areas baited by hand and by helicopter and the locations of the nine rabid raccoons. For continued, updated information, visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at www.nassaucountyny.gov/Health.

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of raccoons and other mammals, including humans. The disease is always fatal once clinical signs of infection occur. Vaccination will greatly decrease the chance of human and domestic animal contact with rabid raccoons. 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 yourself from exposure to possible rabies:

• Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, and 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.
• 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 RELEASE THE BAT, notify the county health department immediately.
• Do not feed unknown animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home
• Keep garbage cans tightly covered and avoid storing any food outside.
• Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccination, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses.
• Remember that New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies.

Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should call the Nassau County Department of Health and immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room.

"Individuals who see any mammal (other than a small rodent) that is ill, dead, or acting unusually should also report those to the Nassau County Department of Health to assist in rabies surveillance. Rabies surveillance is critical for the entire County, not just the area already affected, in order to determine how widespread the outbreak is and to control it."

For information regarding rabies visit our website or call the Nassau County Department of Health at (516) 571-2500 or the New York State Department of Health at (518) 474-3186 weekdays from 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM.