The New York State Department of Health has issued a warning to residents about the risk of rabies during the summer months. The department is asking people to avoid contact with wild and stray animals and to seek medical care immediately if they are exposed.
“Spending more time outdoors means you could be at risk of encountering a rabid animal,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. “Even animals that are small and cute can still carry the rabies virus and should not be approached or touched. Protect yourself and your pets when outside. Anyone who is exposed or bitten should immediately seek medical care.”
Rabies is most often found in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, deer, groundhogs, and coyotes. However, any mammal can get infected, including household pets like dogs and cats, as well as other domestic animals such as horses and livestock. The disease spreads through the saliva of infected animals via bites or if saliva enters the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound.
The virus attacks the central nervous system and can be passed from mammals to humans or other mammals if pets are not vaccinated. Animals of all ages are at risk for infection. While rabid animals are present throughout the year in New York State, encounters increase during summer due to more outdoor activity.
Anyone exposed to rabies should wash the affected area with soap and water right away and get medical attention immediately. Treatment involves a dose of human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) along with four doses of vaccine over two weeks.
Exposure does not always lead to illness if treated quickly after exposure. However, untreated cases that develop symptoms almost always result in death.
Rabid animals have been confirmed in every county in New York State. In 2024, laboratory testing at the Wadsworth Center Rabies Laboratory confirmed 313 cases of rabies among both wild and domestic animals.
People concerned about possible exposure without an obvious bite—such as finding a bat in a room with an unattended child or someone with mental impairment—are advised to contact their county health department for guidance. A list of county health agencies is available on the department’s website: https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/.
More information about rabies can be found here: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies/.
