Oswego County Health Department Announces First Positive Rabies Case of 2026

by Contributor | April 15, 2026 12:44 pm

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department received notice of the first rabies positive animal in 2026. One raccoon in the Town of Oswego has tested positive for the virus. There was no exposure to other animals or humans.

The health department reminds residents about the dangers of the rabies virus and what to do when they encounter wildlife – indoors and out.

“The early spring season brings more chances to spot wildlife with their young,” said Oswego County Director of Environmental Health Katelyn Parkhurst. “While these moments can be exciting, it’s important to respect their space and leave them alone. Maintaining a safe distance from wildlife helps protect you and your family from potential diseases such as rabies.”

Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. It is most often seen among wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes, although any mammal can be infected with the disease – including people and pets.

People usually get exposed to the rabies virus from a bite or a scratch from an infected animal; however, exposure can also occur if saliva from a rabid animal enters an open cut or mucous membrane such as the eyes, nose or mouth.

To minimize the chance of exposure to rabies, people should be wary of any animals that act abnormally. Unusual actions include aggressive or tame behavior, showing no fear of humans, aimless wandering or appearing disoriented.

The health department offers these tips to further reduce the risk of exposure to the rabies virus:

• Do not pick up, touch or feed wildlife or stray dogs and cats. Wild or feral animals, including their babies, can be rabid. Teach children to do the same.
• If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and call the health department as soon as possible to investigate any potential exposure before releasing or disposing of it.
• If a wild animal is on your property, get indoors and let it wander away.
• Keep pets and livestock animals up to date on their vaccinations.
• Don’t let pets roam free and bring them indoors at night.
• Feed pets indoors to avoid attracting wildlife and stray animals to your home.

New York State Public Health Law requires that all dogs, cats and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age.

“Vaccinating pets against rabies is the most effective way to protect both animals and people from the virus and prevent the spread of this deadly disease,” said Parkhurst. “All dogs, cats and ferrets must stay current on their rabies immunizations, even if they are primarily indoor pets.”

The Oswego County Health Department offers several rabies clinics throughout the year. The next clinic will be held on Wednesday, May 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oswego County Highway Garage, 957 Centerville Rd., Pulaski.

Beginning Wednesday, April 29, residents can call 315-349-3564 to make an appointment for the May 6 clinic. Throughout the year, appointments will be scheduled clinic-by-clinic and an announcement for the opening of the appointment phone line will be made before each clinic.

In 2025, Oswego County Health Department staff:

• vaccinated 1,591 cats, dogs and ferrets against rabies.
• confirmed seven positive cases of rabies including one bat, one fox, one skunk and four raccoons.
• provided 46 people in Oswego County with post-exposure rabies treatments.
• submitted 108 animals to the state health department to be tested for rabies.

“This past year, our health department responded to 995 calls involving possible rabies incidents,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor. “We urge residents to contact us right away if they suspect they may have been exposed to rabies. Our team works closely with veterinary professionals to evaluate each situation and determine the most appropriate course of action.”

All domestic and wild animal bites should be reported to the Oswego County Health Department’s Environmental Division as soon as possible.

To report an animal bite or seek guidance concerning potential exposures to rabies, call the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3557, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or at 315-341-0086 after regular business hours, weekends and holidays.

Please do not call the after-hours number to make a rabies vaccination appointment. Use it only for incidents involving potential exposure.

For more information about rabies, visit https://health.oswegocountyny.gov/programs/environmental1/rabies_program2.php[1].

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/announcements/oswego-county-health-department-announces-first-positive-rabies-case-of-2026/

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