Rabies in Nassau County declared ‘imminent public well being menace,’ officers say

Rabies is now an “imminent public well being menace” in Nassau County, officers stated Monday, warning residents to keep away from wild animals and to guard their pets.

Surveillance exhibits the virus is circulating all through the county, which has collected and confirmed 25 rabid animals since July 2024. That quantity contains each raccoons and feral cats.

Rabid raccoons have additionally been found in Suffolk County this yr, predominantly within the Amityville space.

Rabies is a uncommon however lethal illness that may be handed to people by the chunk or scratch of an contaminated animal, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Individuals who have contact with a rabid animal however obtain immediate therapy can keep away from critical sickness.

“The resurgence of rabies in Nassau County, with its excessive inhabitants density and after almost a decade of absence, represents a critical and evolving public well being concern,” Nassau County Well being Commissioner Dr. Irina Gelman stated in an announcement. “This declaration permits us to answer stop additional unfold and defend the well being and security of Nassau County residents.”

Particularly, the declaration permits the county to safe assets and conduct actions to handle and abate the menace, officers stated. That features spreading rabies vaccine baits in areas the place contaminated animals have been discovered.

The general public is urged to not feed or contact wild animals, stray cats or canine. As well as, it is necessary to ensure pets — together with canine, cats, ferrets, horses and livestock — are vaccinated towards rabies, specialists stated.

The Nassau County Division of Well being asks anybody whose pet has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal to contact them and report any lifeless, sick or abnormally performing animal by emailing rabies@nassaucountyny.gov.

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Lisa joined Newsday as a employees author in 2019. She beforehand labored at amNewYork, the New York Day by day Information and the Asbury Park Press masking politics, authorities and normal task.