On August 6, a pet dog killed a raccoon in Brookville. The raccoon was collected by a wildlife trapper, taken to a local animal hospital and shipped to the New York State Department of Health laboratory for testing. On August 9th, the New York State Department of Health informed the Nassau County Department of Health that the raccoon found in the county tested positive for raccoon rabies. All those who came in direct contact with the raccoon have been advised to get post-exposure treatment. The pet dog had been vaccinated against rabies and will get a booster vaccination.

In response, the Nassau County Department of Health and the New York State Department of Health will begin active surveillance to determine if this is an isolated incident or the beginning of the spread of terrestrial rabies in Nassau County.

Starting on Aug. 11, trapping began within a half mile radius of where the animal was killed in Brookville. More than 30 homeowners have given approval for traps to be placed on their properties. The Long Island Veterinary Society is working with the Department of Health. All Nassau County hospitals are being kept apprised of the situation.

The Nassau County Department of Health is asking residents to call from 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. at 571-2500 if they own property in the vicinity and are willing to allow raccoon traps on their property, if they see any sick animal, especially raccoons, or any animal with bite wounds, if they see dead animals, such as road kill, for possible collection of rabies or if they have seen any sick or abnormally acting animals within the past month.

The surveillance will include:

Conducting humane raccoon trapping in the vicinity of where the rabid raccoon was found. (While raccoon traps pose no risk of injury to humans or pets, they should not be disturbed.)

Asking residents to call the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-2500 from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. if:

They own property in the vicinity and are willing to allow raccoon traps on their property

They see any dead animal (such as road kill) for possible collection and rabies testing

They have seen any sick or abnormally acting animals within the past month

Advising Nassau County veterinarians to be on heightened awareness for possible rabies

Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, the virus may also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with cut, open, or scratched skin lesions. To protect yourself from exposure to possible rabies:

Keep domestic animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) on a leash and keep livestock confined in the evenings.

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

Do not touch dying or dead animals. If you must move them, use a 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.

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

Notify the Health Department if a bat is found in a room where adults or children were sleeping, or if an adult enters a room and finds a bat with a child.

Do not feed unknown animals and discourage them from seeking food near your home by keeping garbage cans tightly covered. Avoid storing any food outside.

Verify that your pets have current rabies vaccination, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and horses.

New York State law requires all dogs, cats and domesticated ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. If an unvaccinated pet or one that's overdue on its vaccination comes in contact with a rabid or suspected rabid animal, the pet must either be destroyed or strictly quarantined for six months. However, if a vaccinated animal comes into contact with a wild animal, it needs only a booster vaccination, but this immunization must be administered within five days of exposure. If you care for your family and your pet, it is absolutely essential that your animals have up-to-date rabies inoculations.

Individuals bitten or scratched by any animal should call the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-2500 and immediately contact their physicians or seek medical help at a hospital emergency room.

For information regarding rabies, call 571-2500 or visit the department website at www.co.nassau.ny.us/health/index.html.