Manorville Resident Possible Rabies Exposure

A resident of Manorville is receiving treatment for potential rabies exposure after being scratched by a raccoon that tested positive for the virus, as per officials from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

The individual, who hasn’t been named, reportedly “made contact with a raccoon on their property.” The raccoon was later captured by health officials and sent to a state lab for testing. In a phone interview, a department spokesperson confirmed that the animal scratched the person.

While the exact timing of the scratch hasn’t been disclosed, the spokesperson did indicate that positive test results came back on Friday.

According to health department employees, there is a belief that the raccoon was relocated to this area, potentially by someone else. This thought arises from the fact that rabies is usually found farther west on Long Island, as confirmed by the spokesperson in a conversation with Newsday.

The raccoon marks the 31st land mammal found with rabies on Long Island since February 2025. Most other infected animals were discovered in the western part of Suffolk County.

Last year, by this point in time, there were only six rabid raccoons identified in Suffolk County, all located in the Amityville area, which is about 40 miles from Manorville.

Additionally, Newsday highlighted that Nassau County had declared rabies an “imminent public health threat” last July after identifying 25 rabid animals within a year.

If anyone has interacted with the raccoon in Manorville, they should reach out to the Suffolk County Health Department—this exposure might pose a significant health risk, as stated in the agency’s release on Friday.

Rabies, if untreated, can be fatal to humans. However, if caught early enough, it can be prevented. The treatment process includes receiving a series of vaccination shots along with a rapid-response shot post-exposure, as mentioned by the Mayo Clinic.

The county health department has advised residents to avoid touching or transporting wild animals. They encourage anyone who spots “abnormally acting raccoons” to contact either the Suffolk County Police Department’s non-emergency line at 631-852-COPS or the state Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.