A raccoon from the Lyons-Sodus area tested positive for rabies, with New York state's Wadsworth Laboratory confirming the result on June 3 and prompting Wayne County Public Health to issue a warning.
The alert follows a rabid domestic cat confirmed in the same area just one week earlier, raising concern about continued local exposure risk.
Rabies is a fatal virus that attacks the central nervous system; in Wayne County it is most often found in raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, though unvaccinated pets and livestock can also be infected.
Residents were told to avoid wild or feral animals, watch for symptoms such as drooling, aggression, poor coordination or unusual friendliness, and report any bite, scratch or saliva contact through broken skin immediately.
New York requires dogs, cats and ferrets to be vaccinated starting at 4 months old, and Wayne County said it offers free annual rabies vaccination clinics.