LIVINGSTON MANOR – Sullivan County Department of Public Health has confirmed that a raccoon in the Livingston Manor area tested positive for the rabies virus. This is the fourth human exposure incident involving a laboratory-confirmed positive animal this year. These are only animals that were able to be tested after being in contact with a human.

Rabies is not an uncommon disease within wild animals. Rabies occurs commonly throughout New York State, with the vast majority of cases occurring in raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks and woodchucks. Avoiding contact is your absolute best way of protecting yourself from this fatal disease. Signs of rabies in wild animals includes:

Aggressive, uncharacteristic behavior, such as attacking objects or people

Losing fear of humans (acting uncharacteristically friendly)

Difficulty walking or staggering

Paralysis of the legs or jaw, loss of coordination

Difficulty swallowing and a fear of water

Drooling or foaming at the mouth.

The Department of Public Health is working to provide another free clinic in the Livingston Manor area; please check the county website and local media outlets for updates.

For more information, contact the Disease Surveillance and Investigation Department of Sullivan County Public Health at 845-292-5910.

Contributed story from Sullivan County Public Health