Public health officials in New York city continue their concern with the continual emergence of rabies in raccoons in Manhattan’s Central Park.

With 28 verifiable cases occurring in January 2010 and December 2009, health officials continue their efforts to both educate the public and use oral rabies vaccine within the park to control the fatal disease.

The raccoon is a nocturnal animal. Finding raccoons during the daylight hours is an immediate indication of something affecting the raccoons such as the rabies virus.

Pet owners who chose to frequent the northern part of Central Park, between 79th and 110th Street, should be most concerned. Leashing one’s pet begins the process of caution, while giving you control of your pet as you walk.

With 8 new cases of Rabies identified in the northern portions of Central Park, from 79th Street to 110th Street, the 2010 cases brings the 2009-2010 total to 20 cases.

The health department has spread oral rabies vaccine bait in the area with the intent to vaccinate the raccoons against this fatal disease. Fliers have been posted in the park and its nearby subway stations advising pet owners to leash their pets, as well as keeping away from animals acting strangely.

Pet owners who choose to walk their dogs in Central Park should review the pets Rabies immunization history. Even with three year Rabies vaccine available, a good rule of thumb is to refresh the pet’s immunity with a booster vaccination. Your local veterinarian of record is the best source of advice for vaccination frequency & duration.

New York has not had a human case of Rabies since 1953.