A Different Vaccine: NYC To Tackle Rabies In Inwood Raccoons

INWOOD, NY — After Inwood was the only neighborhood in Manhattan where an animal with rabies was found so far in 2021, parks in the neighborhood are set to undergo a vaccination effort targeting local raccoons.

On Tuesday, the Health Department and NYC Parks will distribute baits in Inwood Hill Park and Fort Tryon Park. The small, brown-colored baits are fish-scented and resemble a ketchup packet.

The packets contain a small amount of pink-liquid vaccine that the raccoons are attracted to. The bait does not harm people, but in extremely rare instances, exposure to the liquid can cause a rash.

Pets cannot get rabies from the vaccine, but they might vomit if they eat too much of it.

Here's more information about the raccoon with rabies that was spotted in Inwood this year:

• Date of result: 3/8/21
• Type of animal: Raccoon
• Location: Seaman Avenue and Payson Avenue

“Rabies can be deadly for people and pets,” Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi said in a news release. “New Yorkers should ensure their pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and avoid interactions with wild mammals. From rabies in raccoons to COVID in our City, vaccines work to help keep New Yorkers safe this summer.”

New York City has vaccinated raccoons against rabies since 2014.

In October 2020, the city also hand-tossed rabies vaccines in Inwood after two infected raccoons were found over the summer in Upper Manhattan.

More information about the mass vaccination effort is available on the NYC Department of Health's website.