Rabid Raccoon Found at Shopping Center in Putnam County

CARMEL, NY — A raccoon captured on Monday has tested positive for rabies, The raccoon was removed from the Putnam Plaza shopping center in Carmel on Monday evening, Putnam County officials said.

Health officials said there were no known contacts with the animal. Call the Health Department immediately if you think you or a pet came into contact it it.

Rabies is a deadly disease. When an animal sick with rabies bites a person or another
animal, the disease can spread through the animal’s saliva. Without treatment a person infected with the
rabies virus will usually not survive.

In New York State, more than half of the rabies cases in wild animals are in raccoons, followed by bats, skunks and foxes. Domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs, can also become sick with rabies. Regular pet
vaccination can protect them.

All animal bites or contact with wild animals should be reported promptly to the Department of
Health at 845-808- 1390. After hours or on weekends/holidays report the incident by calling the
Environmental Health Hotline at 845-808- 1390 and press “3.” A Health Department representative will
promptly return your call.

The Health Department will test a wild animal for possible rabies after an incident involving human or pet contact. If a family pet encounters a wild animal, avoid immediate handling of your pet, or use rubber gloves and call the Health Department.