A sick raccoon found last week in Deer Park has tested positive for rabies — the seventh rabid raccoon found in Suffolk County this year, the health department said.
The animal, found on July 29, had no contact with pets or people, officials said.
Six rabid raccoons were found earlier this year, all in the Amityville area, the first reported on Jan. 28. The seventh is the first one found outside of the Amityville area.
Before this year, Suffolk County had not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009, a news release said.
Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said the department is preparing to immunize the raccoon population through a baiting program in September using vaccine-loaded fish cakes, targeting Babylon, Huntington, Islip and Smithtown.
“Meanwhile, we ask all residents to keep their pets close to them and make sure they are up to date on their rabies vaccinations,” he said in a statement.
About two weeks ago Nassau County officials said rabies is now an “imminent public health threat,” warning residents to protect their pets and stay away from wild animals. Some 25 rabid animals were found in Nassau Since July, 2024, with 22 found this year.
New York State law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. The department also recommended that livestock and horses be immunized.
The department suggested keeping dogs, cats and ferrets on a leash and keeping animals confined in the evening. It also advised people to refrain from contact with any animals other than their own, especially any animal acting unusually, and to avoid feeding wildlife.
Rabies is a viral disease transmitted from infected mammals to humans through saliva, a bite or a scratch. Early symptoms include irritability, headache, fever and sometimes itching at the site of exposure, the department said.
Within days, the disease progresses to paralysis, spasms of the throat muscles, convulsions and delirium and usually ends in death.
The department said since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 28 bats collected in Suffolk County, including three in 2025. Roughly 3% to 6% of the bats sent for testing have turned up positive for rabies.
Anyone who sees abnormally acting raccoons should report the sighting to the Suffolk County Police Department by calling 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.
Both Nassau and Suffolk health departments said anyone bitten or scratched by a wild animal should seek immediate medical care and then report the incident. In Nassau County, call the health department at 516-227-9663. Call 631-854-0333 for the Suffolk Health Department.
Babylon, Huntington, Islip or Smithtown residents who encounter a dead raccoon should report it to php@suffolkcountyny.gov or call 631-852-5900.
Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday. She previously worked as a reporter for Patch, where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals.