Rabies Cases Surge on Long Island: Health Officials Issue Warnings

Rabies Outbreak on Long Island

• ⚠️ Suffolk County is experiencing an explosion in rabies cases, with 13 confirmed rabid raccoons in Nassau County and six in Amityville this year, marking a significant increase after 15 years without cases.
• 🐾 The mother of three baby raccoons, who were rescued and are being nursed back to health, had to be euthanized due to rabies.

Canine Distemper Also Spreading

• 🐶 In addition to rabies, growing numbers of raccoons are spreading canine distemper, a highly contagious viral disease that affects animals but not humans.
• 💔 This disease is proving fatal to nearly every adult raccoon encountered.

Public Health Recommendations

• 💉 Health experts strongly advise pet owners to ensure their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies.
• ☀️ Warmer weather may increase interactions between pets and potentially infected wildlife.
• 🚫 Residents are warned not to approach raccoons that appear to be acting strangely, such as being out in the middle of the day or walking in circles.
• 📞 Instead, individuals should contact licensed organizations for assistance.

Rabies Prevention Efforts

• 🧪 Both Suffolk and Nassau counties are dropping oral rabies vaccine bait to help curb the spread of the virus on Long Island.
• 📅 Suffolk County is hosting four clinics for residents to get their pets vaccinated, with the next one scheduled for May 31st in Brookhaven.