Rabies has been found in at least 25 animals since July of last year in mostly raccoons and three feral cats, according to Nassau County New York officials. Rabies had previously been eradicated in Nassau County in 2016 following aggressive control efforts.
The resurgence is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination, public education and wildlife baiting to manage rabies risks. Raccoons are the primary wildlife vector for rabies in the region.
Source: ABC 7 New York, July 22, 2025. Link.
Also see: CDC reports rising rabies outbreaks across the U.S., Times Now, September 1, 2025. Link. The CDC currently tracking 15 different likely outbreaks in the following areas: Nassau County, New York, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, and Vermont.
More than a million Americans are checked annually for possible exposure to the rabies virus, with more than 100,000 receiving a series of vaccines to prevent them from the life-threatening infection.”
INSIGHTS: For pet services businesses, requiring vaccinations and updating records is an important element of keeping staff, pet owners and their animals safe from the deadly disease.
Image: Link.