Three Bats Test Positive For Rabies In Town Of Islip

Three bats collected within the Town of Islip last week have tested positive for rabies, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health.

The bats were collected on June 12 and June 15 in Sayville, Islip Terrace and Islip.

“We estimate that in any given year, three to six percent of the local bat population typically test positive for rabies; given that we have had three test positive in close proximity within days is reason for enhanced caution,” Dr. James Tomarken, the commissioner of health services said.

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system.

It is most often found in wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, but any mammal can be infected with rabies. Pets and livestock can get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them against infection.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services provided the following tips to protect pets and local residents from possible exposure to rabies:

• Do not feed, touch or approach wild animals, or stray dogs or cats.
• Be sure your pet dogs, cats and ferrets as well as horses and other livestock animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors and allowed outside only under direct observation.
• Keep family pets indoors at night. Do not leave them outside unattended or let them roam free.
• Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seed or foods that may attract wild animals.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Tightly cover or put away garbage cans.
• Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
• Do not transport or relocate any wild animals.
• Teach children not to touch any animal they do not know and to tell an adult immediately if they are bitten by any animal.

If a bat is found in your home, avoid contact with it, attempt to contain the animal and contact the Department of Health Services immediately. If possible, try to contain the animal so that it can be tested.

All animal bites or contact with wild animals should be reported by calling (631) 853-0333 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by calling (631) 852-4820 after hours.

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