New York City Vaccinates Raccoons Against Rabies Amid Increase in Infections
New York City is taking steps to vaccinate raccoons against rabies, sparked by a rise in cases of the disease. This year has seen rabies infections reaching a five-year high, prompting a creative approach involving the city’s trash-loving raccoons.
The vaccination comes in small sachets resembling ketchup packets found in garbage cans. These packets contain a fishy-smelling liquid that raccoons find hard to resist.
According to city officials, the oral rabies vaccine makes raccoons immune to the disease once they consume the pink liquid inside the packets.
“Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal disease. The New York City Department of Health’s efforts to vaccinate raccoons against rabies will protect New Yorkers, their pets, and the city’s wildlife,” stated Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
This year, 20 raccoon infections have been recorded as of September, a staggering 150% increase from eight cases last year. The city began distributing these rabies vaccines this week and plans to continue throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Upper Manhattan until November.
As of now, 18 raccoons in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island have died from rabies, with additional cases in a Staten Island cat and a Queens bat.
Interestingly, the concentration of rabies cases is primarily in Queens, particularly in the southern area, while Staten Island has reported five active cases scattered throughout the island. In Brooklyn, two cases were noted in East New York.
Long Island City is also facing challenges related to rabies, which officials have labeled an “immediate public health threat.” Additionally, both Brooklyn and Queens received oral rabies vaccination feeding this past spring.
The Department of Health is strategically placing brown, fishy bags in the streets to attract these creatures, a method considered safe for other animals, including pets.
There was no immediate clarification from the Health Department regarding why Staten Island wouldn’t receive the vaccine, or why Upper Manhattan would, given that it hasn’t reported cases since 2023. The Bronx has not reported any rabies cases and is not expected to do so this year either.
Rabies is a grave disease that targets the central nervous system, but it can be prevented and treated if action is taken before symptoms appear. The common symptoms include foaming at the mouth, aggression, nausea, confusion, and difficulty eating or drinking.
As the city continues its vaccination efforts through November, residents are advised to vaccinate their pets and keep them away from stray or wild animals. In case of a bite from a strange animal, seeking medical help immediately is crucial.
