Officials Seek Person Who May Have Moved Rabid Raccoon In East Islip

EAST ISLIP, NY — Suffolk County health officials are trying to identify a person who may have transported a rabid raccoon to East Islip, warning that the potential exposure could pose a significant health risk.

The warning came Friday as the Suffolk County Department of Health Services announced that two raccoons found in East Islip and Bay Shore tested positive for rabies.

A dead raccoon was found outside an East Islip residence on Oct. 22, according to health officials. An animal control officer with the Town of Islip Animal Shelter collected the animal and submitted it for rabies testing.

Although no human or pet exposures have been reported, officials said they believe the raccoon may have been transported to the location by an unknown person.

Anyone who may have transported a raccoon to East Islip on Oct. 21 is asked to contact the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays or 631-852-4820 outside business hours.

“This exposure could pose a significant risk to their health,” county officials said.

A second raccoon that appeared ill was found outside a Bay Shore residence on Oct. 27, officials said.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation responded, and the animal was submitted for rabies testing. There were no reported human or pet exposures in that case.

The New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Center notified Suffolk County health officials on Oct. 30 that both raccoons tested positive for rabies.

The animals are Suffolk County's 58th and 59th confirmed terrestrial rabies cases since Feb. 7, 2025.

Rabies cases have continued to surface across Suffolk County this year, with recent infected raccoons also reported in Oakdale, Kings Park, Smithtown, Babylon, Northport and Islip.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system. It is most commonly found in wild animals including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, although any mammal can become infected.

County health officials are reminding residents not to touch or transport wild animals.

Anyone who sees a raccoon behaving abnormally is asked to call Suffolk County Police at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.

More information about rabies, animal bites and prevention is available through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.