At the end of 2009 there were several reports of rabid raccoons in Central Park in New York City, including this one by the New York Times. Now the raccoons are in the news again, with 8 confirmed rabies cases in the last two weeks, according to ABC7 in New York. This compares to 12 cases in all of 2009.
Why this is a concern
First and foremost, there is no cure for rabies. Rabies is a virus that attacks the nervous system and brain. Ultimately, it is fatal for those who haven't received vaccinations. Rabies is a zoonotic disease; a disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Central Park is a popular destination for New York locals as well as tourists.
What about your neighborhood?
Raccoons are the number one rabies wildlife concern for the east coast of the US. Other areas of the country need to be aware of skunks, foxes, bats, cats, dogs, cattle and other mammals. View CDC maps: Terrestrial rabies reservoirs in the United States
Learn more about rabies
Everyone has heard of rabies, but do you know about transmission and clinical signs of this virus? Learn more about rabies to keep your pets and family safe.
Related reading
Image: Raccoon - photo by Getty Images / Siede Preis
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