In response to a rabies surge among raccoons in Long Island, Nassau County will distribute fishy-smelling oral rabies vaccine baits in outdoor recreation areas from April 21 to May 2. This effort follows a confirmed positive rabies case in a raccoon in nearby Amityville. The bait will appeal to raccoons and is encased in clear packets like ketchup. Officials urge residents to keep children and pets away from these baits and adjust their placement if found near homes.
"We are very concerned that rabies is spreading along our western border," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commissioner.
The bait will be given a fishy scent to appeal to raccoons, according to Nassau County officials, who said the vaccines will be encased in clear bags that somewhat resembles a fast-food style ketchup packet.
The containment effort comes shortly after a fourth raccoon in Amityville, which borders Massapequa in Suffolk County, tested positive for rabies on April 11.
Nassau County officials advised that if the bait is found near a home or an area where children play, adults should kick the bag deeper toward a covered area.
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