Rabies is a
viral disease that infects the central nervous system of mammals. It is usually
transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. It can be fatal in humans
unless treatment (rabies shots) is administered soon after a bite or other
exposure. The vast majority of rabies cases in the United States each year occur
in wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. In New York City and
New York State, animal rabies occurs primarily in raccoons, bats and skunks.
With the continuing
identification of raccoons with rabies in and
around Manhattan’s Central Park since December 2009, the Health
Department reminds New Yorkers to avoid wild animals and to vaccinate their pets
against rabies.
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For more information on rabies, call 311.
