Three raccoons test positive for rabies in St. Lawrence County
Three raccoons found in the Canton, Brasher Falls and Ogdensburg areas tested positive for rabies, bringing St. Lawrence County's 2026 total to 28 cases, according to the county Public Health Department.
By Caleb Mercer, ClickNNY North Country Desk
Three raccoons found in the Canton, Brasher Falls and Ogdensburg areas have tested positive for rabies, according to the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department. The cases bring the county's total for 2026 to 28.
Rabies testing is conducted by the New York State Department of Health's Wadsworth Laboratory, which notifies the county Public Health Department of results. County health officials then issue public information about confirmed cases.
The county typically averages fewer than three confirmed animal rabies cases a year, while cases this year have involved raccoons, skunks, bats, a bobcat and cats. The county's rabies control program advises residents to keep pets and livestock vaccinated, supervise pets outdoors, and avoid feeding or handling wild animals.
People should wash bite or scratch wounds immediately and seek medical care after a possible exposure. Bites or other possible exposures can be reported to St. Lawrence County Public Health at (315) 386-2325 during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours, call (315) 454-2363 to reach an on-call nurse. The state rabies information line is (888) 574-6656.
Residents can find county updates and rabies-control information on the St. Lawrence County Public Health news page and the county's Rabies Control Program page.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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