Two raccoons found in Suffolk County have tested positive for rabies, prompting local health officials to continue efforts to prevent the virus from spreading farther east on Long Island, where the Hamptons and North Fork could be at risk.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services said a raccoon found outside a Northport residence on Sept. 2 and another found outside an Islip residence on Sept. 3 both tested positive for rabies. In each case, Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Service Section officers responded after the animals appeared to be ill and transported them for testing.

The two cases bring Suffolk County’s total to 42 confirmed terrestrial rabies cases since Feb. 7, 2025.

As part of its response, Suffolk County has begun distributing approximately 240,000 oral rabies vaccine baits throughout Huntington, Babylon, Smithtown and Islip. The effort is intended to vaccinate raccoons and establish a barrier to help prevent the virus from spreading farther east.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is most commonly found in wild animals, including raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Any mammal, however, can become infected.

Residents are urged not to touch or transport wild animals. Anyone who sees a raccoon or other wild animal behaving abnormally should contact the Suffolk County Police Department’s non-emergency number at 631-852-COPS or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 631-444-0250.