Raccoon captured in Smithtown tests positive for rabies, Suffolk's 27th confirmed case this year

A raccoon found outside a Smithtown home this week has tested positive for rabies, Suffolk County health officials said Friday.

The raccoon looked sick and was spotted by a resident Tuesday, health officials said.

Suffolk County Police Emergency Service officers captured the raccoon and sent it to the state Department of Health's Wadsworth Center, which notified Suffolk County health officials of the positive test on Friday.

Health officials said a family’s dog may have come in contact with the raccoon, but that the dog’s rabies vaccine was current. The dog’s owner went to a vet for a rabies booster. No people came in contact with the raccoon, health officials said.

All dogs, cats and ferrets are required to have rabies vaccines, according to Suffolk County and state law.

“Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people,” the health department said in a statement.

The raccoon was the 27th positive case of rabies this year and marks 46 cases since Feb. 7 last year, according to the health department.

The health department and the Suffolk SPCA are offering a free pets vaccine clinic Sunday at the SPCA offices, Building 16, 725 Veterans Memorial Hwy. The clinic will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All pets must be at least 4 months old. Dogs must be leashed and cats must be in carriers.

The clinic is open to all Suffolk County residents while supplies last.

Rabies can be fatal to humans without treatment and there is no cure. It can be treated though a series of vaccines that can offer protection for life.

The virus attacks the central nervous system and is usually contracted by wild animals, including raccoons, bats and skunks, according to the health department. It can spread through any mammal infected and residents are advised not to touch or move wildlife.

Anyone who sees a raccoon acting strangely is urged to call the Suffolk police non-emergency line at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.