Low Flying Airplanes Will Around New York This Week

This week you might see something strange in the sky above you.

No, it is not aliens, but it will low-flying small airplanes circling around rural areas all around the region.

The airplanes are part of the Erie County Health Department's rabies vaccination program where they are dropping thousands of vaccination tablets for wildlife to consume.

According to their website, helicopters made make the drop in July, and then that was followed by ground bait distribution. The airplanes are the last round of the vaccination drop for this year.

Helicopter distribution will start around July 30-August 3, depending on weather conditions. Ground bait distribution in urban and suburban areas of Erie County will take place approximately July 29-August 3. Fixed wing aircraft will run from about August 15-17 for counties in Western New York: Erie, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming, also depending on

weather conditions. Each year, the USDA distributes about one million baits throughout New York.

Do Not Touch these tablets. If you do come in contact with one of these packets, you need to call the NYSDOH Rabies Information Line (888) 574-6656 with questions or concerns.

Get our free mobile app

Most packets will be eaten by wildlife within four days; almost all baits will be gone within a week. If packets are not found and eaten, they will harmlessly dissolve and the exposed vaccine will become inactivated.

Here is what the tablet looks like.

If you must move a vaccine packet, wear gloves or use a plastic bag or paper towel to pick it up. Place any damaged baits in the trash; throw intact baits into a wooded area for wildlife to consume.

If you do touch a bait trap, you should wash your hands immediately and call the NYSDOH Rabies Information Line.