A raccoon found in Islip has tested positive for rabies.
Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Service Section officers responded to a report of a raccoon that appeared to be ill in Islip on Monday and transported it to the Wadsworth Center, a lab in Albany, for rabies testing, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.
The Health Department did not specify when the raccoon was discovered, but said the positive rabies result came back on Thursday.
There was no human or pet exposure, according to the Health Department.
The case marked the 37th positive terrestrial rabies confirmation since Feb. 7, 2025.
The Health Department reminded residents to never touch or transport wild animals. Anyone who sees a raccoon acting abnormally is asked to call the SCPD's non-emergency line at 631-852-2677 or the Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.
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