Two rabid raccoons reported in Kings Park
One person at each residence was exposed to each raccoon.
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Two raccoons tested positive for rabies in Kings Park, leading to exposure to two dogs and two humans.
A raccoon and a dog had a physical encounter outside of a Kings Park home on Sept. 28, and then another raccoon and another dog had an encounter at a different residence a day later, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. One person at each residence was exposed to each raccoon.
The department was notified of a positive rabies test by the Wadsworth Center at the New York State Department of Health in Albany on Oct. 1. The individuals received post-exposure treatment and both dogs, which were vaccinated against rabies, received booster shots from their veterinarians.
The cases marked the 50th and 51st positive terrestrial rabies confirmations in Suffolk since Feb. 7, 2025. There have been 32 confirmed rabies cases in the county in 2026, 31 raccoons and one cat. This is up from 10 such cases reported at this time last year, according to the department.
Nassau County has confirmed one rabid animal, a raccoon, this year to date, according to the Nassau County Department of Health. There were 27 rabid animals confirmed last year and six in 2024.
Anyone who sees an abnormally acting raccoon is asked to call the Suffolk County Police Department non-emergency number at 631-852-2677 or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.
