Overview

• Nassau County officials invoked an imminent public health threat designation on July 21 to secure state assistance and strengthen response efforts.
• Twenty-five animals, including 22 raccoons and three feral cats, have tested positive for rabies since July 2024, marking the first wildlife outbreak since 2016.
• County health leaders will launch a broad oral vaccine baiting program this fall to bolster raccoon immunity and curb viral spread.
• Residents must ensure pets are fully vaccinated, avoid wildlife interactions, and immediately report any animal bites or sightings of erratic creatures.
• Officials highlight New York City’s 2024 baiting suspension and six recent Suffolk County cases in Amityville to emphasize the need for regional coordination.