Mineola, NY – The Nassau County Department of Health (NCDOH) will begin its Fall distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits on September 22, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of rabies among wildlife and protect Nassau County residents and their pets.
Weather permitting, vaccine bait distribution is scheduled to take place from September 22 through October 9 throughout Nassau County. Baits will be distributed by Health Department staff from slow-moving vehicles in areas where raccoons are likely to be found, including, but not limited to, wooded areas, streambeds, storm drains and other suitable habitats.
The oral rabies vaccine bait is a small plastic packet, similar to a ketchup packet, containing liquid rabies vaccine. The packet is coated with wax, cod liver oil, and fishmeal crumbles to attract raccoons. When a raccoon bites into the bait, the vaccine is released and absorbed through the tissues in its mouth, allowing the animal to develop immunity.
Background
Terrestrial rabies had been largely absent from Nassau County for many years before its return in 2024. Prior to 2024, Nassau County had confirmed one rabid raccoon in 2016, with no other confirmed cases dating back to 2009. In 2024, six rabid animals were confirmed, including four raccoons and two feral cats. In 2025, Nassau County confirmed 27 rabid animals, including 26 raccoons and one feral cat. To date in 2026, Nassau County has confirmed one rabid animal, a raccoon.
“Following the return of rabies in 2024, NCDOH implemented extensive rabies control efforts, including an expanded oral rabies vaccine baiting program to help vaccinate raccoons and other terrestrial wildlife against the virus,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Irina Gelman. “Those highly successful efforts have continued, and the decline in confirmed rabies cases this year is encouraging.”
Helpful Guidance for the Public:
- An intact bait itself is not harmful. There is a very low risk of experiencing side effects from skin 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 cats indoors and dogs on leashes during and for approximately one week following the bait distribution. 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.
For additional information regarding the Fall 2026 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).