The New York State Department of Health has confirmed cases of rabies found in raccoons this year in Nassau County.

For the past three years, the New York State Department of Health, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Nassau County Department of Health have maintained programs to trap and test animals as well as to distribute raccoon rabies vaccine by hand and by helicopter. The goal is to prevent the establishment of terrestrial rabies on Long Island by capturing sick raccoons and by vaccinating a substantial percentage of healthy raccoons. In 2006, more than 500 animals were tested for rabies. Seventeen raccoons and two bats tested positive.

"With our busy schedules, things like taking our pets to the veterinarian for their rabies vaccination can slip our minds, but it is important to remember to get your pets a vaccine to protect them and your family," Senator Hannon said.

The Department of Health offers some tips to help protect your family and pets from rabies:

• Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccinations, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses. New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, and ferrets) on a leash when outdoors and keep livestock confined in the evenings.

• Do not touch or have contact with any animal other than your own.

• Instruct your children to tell you immediately if they were bitten or scratched by any animal.

• Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room and then call the Nassau County Department of Health.

• Do not feed wildlife or stray animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home by keeping garbage cans tightly covered and avoiding storing any food outside. Leaving food outside for domestic animals could also attract feral animals, including rabid raccoons.

• Do not touch dying or dead animals. If you must move them, use shovel, wear heavy rubber gloves and double bag the carcass.

• Advise your family against approaching any unknown animal - wild or domestic - especially those acting in an unusual way.

• If a bat is found in a room where individuals were sleeping, or if an adult enters a room and finds a bat with a child, notify the Nassau County Department of Health immediately. Do not release the bat.

If residents see any animal, especially raccoons or possums, that are ill, dead or acting unusual, please call the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-2290 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. or at 742-6154 after business hours, weekends or on holidays. For information regarding rabies visit the County Health Department's website, www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/health/ or the State Health Department's website, www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies. You can also call the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-2500 or the New York State Department of Health at (518) 474-3186 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.