RYE BROOK – The Westchester County Department of Health received confirmation Wednesday that the coyote that was killed by police in Rye Brook on Monday was rabid. This is the first confirmed report of a rabid coyote in Westchester.

On Sunday evening, a coyote that was described as ragged and sickly attacked a toddler and her father in Rye Brook. Both were treated at Greenwich Hospital. A Rye Brook teenager who also had contact with the coyote also is being treated.

“If you or a pet may have had contact with this coyote, please contact the Westchester County Department of Health immediately at (914) 813-5000 to assess the need for rabies treatment,’’ said Acting Westchester County Commissioner of Health Dr. Cheryl Archbald. “Anyone bitten by a rabid animal, or having contact with its saliva, will need to receive immediate rabies vaccination.’’

When administered early enough and before symptoms develop, rabies treatment is 100 percent effective. Once symptoms occur, in humans or animals, the disease is fatal.

Unusual behavior may be the first sign of rabies in an animal. A rabid animal may become either abnormally aggressive or unusually tame. It may lose fear of people and become excited and irritable, or, conversely appear particularly passive and lethargic. Staggering and frothing at the mouth are sometimes noted.

All animal bites or contacts with animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000, 24 hours a day.