Mineola, NY – The Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) will be distributing oral rabies vaccine baits countywide to prevent the spread of the disease among wildlife in Nassau County.
What: The Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) will distribute rabies vaccine baits as part of the Raccoon Rabies Control Program. The bait is specifically designed to attract raccoons and includes a vaccine packet that immunizes the animals upon consumption.
When: Vaccine bait distribution is scheduled for October 6–27, 2025, weather permitting.
Where: Baits will be distributed throughout Nassau County in raccoon habitats, including wooded areas, streambeds, storm drains, and other areas where raccoons are likely to be found.
Why: Rabies has been detected in raccoons and feral cats in Nassau County, with the cats testing positive for a strain typically found in raccoons. The program’s efforts aim to prevent further transmission among wildlife, and protect residents and pets.
How: The bait is a small, brown cube made of fishmeal to attract raccoons. Inside is a plastic pouch, similar to a ketchup packet, containing liquid rabies vaccine. Baits are hand-placed by Health Department staff from slow-moving trucks in areas that are likely to be raccoon habitats. When a raccoon bites into the bait, the vaccine is released and absorbed through the tissues in its mouth, for it to develop immunity.
Public Recommendations:
- An intact bait itself is not harmful. There is a very low risk of experiencing side effects from contact with the vaccine, such as rash, fever, or headache.
- To avoid inadvertent contact with the baits, supervise children’s outdoor activities both during and for approximately one week following the bait distribution. Call the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 immediately in the unlikely event that a child bites through the packet and ingests the liquid.
- If residents find bait near their homes, but not in the open, leave it alone. The bait packets have a strong fishmeal smell that is not attractive to people or to most other animals.
- If the bait is intact and out in the open where pets or children are more likely to encounter it, toss it into deeper cover under trees or bushes while wearing gloves or using a plastic bag.
- To decrease the chance of pets eating the baits, keep all dogs and cats indoors or on leashes during the bait distribution and for about a week afterwards. This will allow raccoons to eat the baits and become immunized.
- The baits are not harmful to dogs or cats, but a pet may vomit if they eat a large number of them. Do not try to remove a packet from an animal’s mouth – you may get bitten.
For additional information regarding the Fall 2025 baiting program, including distribution map and tentative schedule, visit the Department’s Raccoon Rabies Control Program website here: Raccoon Rabies Control Program | Nassau County, NY - Official Website. For information about rabies, visit the Department’s rabies website here: Rabies & Animal Bites | Nassau County, NY - Official Website (nassaucountyny.gov).