A dead raccoon found in North Amityville tested positive for rabies, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

This marks the fifth rabid raccoon found in the Amityville area this year.

The first case of rabies in a raccoon in 2025 was reported on Jan. 28. Prior to this year, Suffolk County had not reported a rabid raccoon since 2009.

Dr. Gregson Pigott, commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, said, “We continue to conduct increased raccoon surveillance particularly in western Suffolk County as we prepare to conduct an oral rabies vaccine baiting campaign to begin later this year. We encourage residents to continue to remain vigilant and report sick or dead raccoons to us.”