NEW YORK CITY – April 22 – Earlier this week, a female Bronx resident was bitten by a rabid raccoon, the first time a confirmed rabid raccoon bite has occurred in New York City in almost five years, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Rabies is a preventable viral disease that is most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal, such as raccoons, skunks, and bats, is almost always fatal if not treated immediately. All New Yorkers - and especially people living in the Bronx - should take precautions to protect themselves from rabies. Avoid contact with wild animals, and make sure pets are vaccinated against rabies.

The bite occurred in the woman’s backyard in the North Riverdale section of the Bronx. She was later hospitalized and treated at Jacobi Hospital. The woman and her husband, who was scratched by the raccoon, have both started rabies post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies PEP is a series of injections that, if administered promptly and as recommended, can prevent infection after a person has been exposed to an animal with rabies. After the bite incident, the raccoon was brought to the DOHMH Public Health Rabies Laboratory, where it subsequently tested positive for rabies.

Earlier in the day, another Bronx woman was bitten by a raccoon in a yard within two blocks of the aforementioned incident. This woman has also started rabies PEP. The raccoon in this incident was not captured. It is unknown whether the same animal was responsible for both events.

DOHMH is issuing an alert to medical providers and veterinarians in New York City. DOHMH is also distributing flyers in the neighborhoods where the incidents occurred to urge residents to take precautions to protect against wild animals and rabies.

Since 1999, reports of rabid animals have been more common in the Bronx than in other boroughs. In 2005 to date, ten rabid raccoons have been found in the Bronx; eight of the raccoons were found within Fieldston, Kingsbridge and Riverdale; the other two were in Orchard Beach and Mount Hope.

To protect yourself against rabies:

• Do not touch or feed wild animals, stray dogs or cats, or bats.
• Keep garbage in tightly sealed containers.
• Stay away from any animal that is behaving aggressively or a wild animal that appears ill or is acting unusually friendly. Call the Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS (212-764-7667) or 311 to report animals that are displaying these or other unusual behaviors. Always call 911 in emergency situations.
• If a bat is found indoors and may have had contact with someone, do not release it. Call 311 to determine if the animal should be picked up for rabies testing. Information on how to safely capture a bat is available online through the New York State Department of Health at http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/zoonoses/batidx.htm.

To protect your pet against rabies:

• Make sure your dog or cat is up–to-date on its rabies vaccinations.
• Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended.
• Do not try to separate animals that are fighting.
• If your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact your veterinarian.
• Feed pets indoors.

If you are bitten by an animal:

• Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and water.
• Seek medical care from your health care provider.
• Call the Poison Control Center at (212) POISONS (212-764-7667) or 311 to report the animal bite, and to determine if the animal should be picked up for rabies testing.
• If the animal is someone’s pet, get the owners name, address, and telephone number.

Animal bites may also be reported online at http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vet/vetegp.shtml. Additional information on rabies is available online at www.nyc.gov/health.

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