NYC Health Department Vaccinating Raccoons Against Rabies This Week in Parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island
Oral Rabies Vaccine Baits Protect Wildlife, Pets, and New Yorkers From Rabies Infection
Always Avoid Contact With Wild Animals and Vaccinate Pets Against Rabies
October 5, 2026 — The New York City Health Department is vaccinating raccoons against rabies in parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island beginning this week to help protect New Yorkers, their pets, and the city’s animal populations against rabies. The oral rabies vaccines baits will be distributed in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NYC Parks.
This effort intends to minimize the spread of the rabies virus among wild animals in New York City, which the Health Department regularly tracks. To date, 24 raccoons and 5 skunks have tested positive for rabies in New York City in 2026.
“Rabies is a serious disease that can be fatal, and our efforts to vaccinate raccoons against rabies protect New Yorkers, their pets, and the City’s wildlife,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. “New Yorkers can do their part, too, by keeping their pets up to date on rabies vaccinations and maintaining distance from our city’s wildlife. We urge New Yorkers to call 311 if they see an animal behaving erratically.”
In Brooklyn and Queens, the bait will be distributed by hand-tossing and using fixed bait stations strategically placed in several parks and wooded areas. In Staten Island, a low-flying helicopter will be used to distribute the vaccine over parks, wooded areas, and less-populated areas. The baiting will begin on October 5th and run through mid-October, weather permitting. In May, the Health Department conducted oral rabies baiting in Brooklyn and Queens.
Baits with oral rabies vaccine are used to vaccinate raccoons in North America, including New York City. Baits are distributed by the USDA and numerous state and local partners in the eastern United States, with the goal of preventing the spread of raccoon rabies virus into other parts of the country.
The small, brown-colored baits are fish-scented and resemble a ketchup packet. They hold a small amount of pink liquid vaccine. Raccoons are attracted to the scented bait and are immunized when they chew the bait, protecting them against rabies infection. The bait itself does not harm people, but in extremely rare instances, exposure to the vaccine liquid may cause a rash.
People should leave baits alone. If found in the open where children or pets could be exposed, they should carefully move baits with gloves or a plastic bag deeper under trees or bushes. In the unlikely event someone comes in contact with the liquid, they should wash their hands with warm, soapy water, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, inform their healthcare provider, and notify the NYC Poison Center at 212-POISONS (212-764-7667).
It is not possible for a person or pet to get rabies from baits. The bait is not harmful to pets but it can cause vomiting if many baits are consumed. If pets find the bait, do not try to take it away from them to avoid being bitten and exposed to the vaccine.
Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten by a rabid animal. In New York City, rabies is mostly found in raccoons. The rabies virus has adapted to raccoons, and there is a raccoon-specific variant of rabies virus present in New York City and across the East Coast of the United States.
This raccoon variant is transmitted most efficiently and most often between raccoons. Occasionally, spill-over events occur when a rabid raccoon transmits the virus to other animals (e.g., raccoon-to-cat, raccoon-to-skunk).
The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person or pet does not receive appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and immediately seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.
Raccoons
- Do not feed raccoons.
- Observe raccoons from a distance.
- Be cautious but not alarmed to see raccoons during the day. They may just be looking for food.
- For more information about raccoons, visit WildlifeNYC.
Protect Yourself Against Rabies
- Do not touch or feed wild animals, stray dogs or cats.
- Keep garbage in tightly sealed containers.
- Stay away from any animal that is behaving aggressively any wild animal that appears ill or acts unusually friendly. Call 311 to report a sick animal.
- Animals that have attacked, or appear likely to attack, should be reported to 911.
- Do not try to separate fighting animals.
Protect Your Pet Against Rabies
- Keep pet vaccinations up to date and keep them leashed while outdoors.
- Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended.
- If your pet has been in contact with an animal that might be rabid, contact your veterinarian immediately and report the incident to 311.
- Feed pets indoors.
If You Are Bitten or Scratched by an animal
- Immediately wash the wound with lots of soap and water.
- Seek medical care from your health care provider.
- If the animal is not owned and can be captured by authorized personnel, call 311.
- If the animal is a pet, get the owner’s name, address, and telephone number so the Health Department can monitor the animal.
- To report a bite, call the Animal Bite Unit at 646-364-1799 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. At night or on weekends, call 212-POISONS (764-7667).
- For information about medical follow-up, call 311 or your medical provider.
Information About Rabies and Baiting
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MEDIA CONTACT: PressOffice@health.nyc.gov