Rabies cases surge across New York City, raising public safety concerns
So far in 2026, there have been 34 reported cases of rabies across New York City, according to state officials.
What is rabies?
Rabies FAQs. Did you know that you can get rabies even if you were not bitten?
THE TAKEAWAY
- Rabies concerns are growing across New York City, raising questions about potential exposure risks for residents and their pets.
- These cases highlight the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife and recognizing potentially dangerous encounters.
- Raccoons account for most of the reported infections, making them a key focus of rabies concerns across the five boroughs.
NEW YORK CITY – A growing wildlife threat is raising concerns across the Big Apple as a surge in rabies cases is putting New Yorkers on notice.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system when transmitted from infected mammals to others and is invariably fatal once symptoms appear.
So far in New York City, there have been 34 reported cases of rabies, according to state officials.
Staten Island has been the main hotspot, as there have been 15 total animals infected with rabies, with 12 of them being raccoons and 3 skunks.
Raccoon in a trash can by a picnic bench. ( Edwin Remsberg/VWPics/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Raccoons account for the majority of reported rabies cases across New York City, making up 26 of the 34 infected animals.
Rabies is most often seen among animals such as raccoons, bats, and foxes.
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Latest statistics for rabies infected animals in New York City. (NYC.Gov)
Signs in Animals
State officials warn you to look out for these symptoms if you suspect an animal has rabies:
- Tiredness or low energy
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty moving or walking, or paralysis
- Unusual or extreme aggression
- Eating or chewing objects, such as wood, soil, stones, plants, or other unusual materials
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Voice changes or hoarseness
- Dilated pupils (black center of the eye is larger) or vacant stare
- Abnormal behavior, such as a wild animal that does not shy away from people
TOPSHOT - A racoon walks in almost deserted Central Park in Manhattan on April 16, 2020 in New York City. Gone are the softball games, horse-drawn carriages and hordes of tourists. In their place, pronounced birdsong, solitary walks and renewed appreciation for Central Park's beauty during New York's coronavirus lockdown. The 843-acre (341-hectare) park -- arguably the world's most famous urban green space -- normally bustles with human activity as winter turns to spring, but this year due to Covid-19 it's the wildlife that is coming out to play. (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP / Getty Images)
It is unclear what has led to the surge in the deadly disease, but this is a significantly higher number of cases when compared to last year, which recorded 22 total cases of animals testing positive for rabies.
It is clear that this poses an increased risk to New Yorkers and all animals across all five boroughs.
In fact, two people were treated for rabies in 2025 after exposure to a rabid bat: one person was bitten inside their home, and another while working at an animal shelter.
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New Yorkers should avoid any wild animals and be sure to vaccinate pets against rabies for safety.