The Suffolk County Department of Health Services reported a dead raccoon found in North Amityville last week tested positive for rabies. There was no known human or animal contact with the raccoon. Rabies is a viral disease that can be transmitted between humans and other mammals. Humans can get rabies if they are exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a rabid animal through a bite. Early symptoms include irritability, headache and fever. The disease progresses to paralysis, convulsions, delirium and death. New York and Suffolk County law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. To further prevent the spread of rabies, no one should transport or relocate any wild animals. This marks the first confirmed terrestrial rabies case since 2009. Since 2016, rabies has been confirmed in 23 bats across Suffolk County. Sightings of abnormally acting raccoons should be reported to the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-852-COPS. All animal bites or contact with wild animals should be reported to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333.