Liberty, NY – The Sullivan County Department of Public Health is reminding residents to use caution around bats and other wildlife after a bat from the Grahamsville area in the Town of Neversink tested positive for rabies.
This marks the second laboratory-confirmed rabid animal associated with a potential human exposure in Sullivan County this year. (These numbers represent only animals that were available for laboratory testing following an incident involving a person and should not be interpreted as the total amount of rabies circulating among wildlife in the County.)
Bat Encounters Require Special Attention
Bat exposures can sometimes be difficult to recognize because their teeth are very small, and a bite or scratch may not be readily apparent. Anyone who has had direct contact with a bat, wakes up to find a bat in the room where they were sleeping, or discovers a bat in a situation where contact cannot be reliably ruled out should contact Sullivan County Department of Public Health for guidance.
Do not attempt to catch a bat with your bare hands. If the bat can be safely contained without direct contact, do not release it until you have spoken with Public Health. Testing the animal may help determine whether rabies post-exposure treatment is necessary.
Anyone who has been bitten, scratched, or may have had contact with a bat or other potentially rabid animal should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and contact Sullivan County Department of Public Health for guidance: 845-292-5910.
Rabies is Present in New York Wildlife
Rabies occurs throughout New York State and is most commonly identified in wild mammals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. An animal infected with rabies may behave aggressively or unusually, lose its normal fear of people, stagger or have difficulty walking, become partially paralyzed, have difficulty swallowing, or drool excessively. However, an animal does not need to appear sick or aggressive to have rabies.
Residents should avoid unnecessary contact with wildlife and teach children never to touch or approach wild or unfamiliar animals.
Protect Your Pets
Keeping pets vaccinated against rabies protects both animals and the people who live with them.
Residents should:
• Keep dogs, cats and ferrets current on their rabies vaccinations.
• Keep pets indoors or supervised, particularly at night.
• Do not allow pets to roam freely or interact with wildlife.
• Do not attempt to separate fighting animals with your bare hands.
• Contact a veterinarian and Public Health if a pet has contact with a potentially rabid animal.
Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics Coming
While Sullivan County Department of Public Health is working to schedule an additional free rabies vaccination clinic in the Town of Neversink area, the County's next scheduled free rabies vaccination clinics will be held:
- September 16, 2026, 5–7 p.m., Narrowsburg Fire House
- September 23, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m., Livingston Manor Fire Department
Pre-registration is requested by calling 845-292-5910.
For more information, please contact the Sullivan County Department of Public Health at 845-292-5910.
