Expect To See Low Flying Planes This Week In New York

You might have already seen some low-flying planes around New York and the number will increase this week.

Officials with Erie County Department of Health announced the dates they will be dropping rabies vaccine pellets across the county.

READ MORE: NEW YORK STATE HAS BILLIONS IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS. FIND OUT IF SOME OF THAT IS YOURS. 

Airplanes will be dropping the bait starting on August 12th and going through August 17th in Erie County. Parts of western Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming counties, along with parts of northern Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, will be included.

Helicopters will drop bait over central and northwestern Erie County and some villages starting on August 17th as well. This will go through August 21st.

Members of the ECDOH will hand-place bait in more densely populated areas on August 17th.

All these dates are weather-dependent and could extend past the end dates due to weather.

Here is what the bait looks like.

Officials in the health department warn people that they should not touch these tablets when they are dropped. If you come in contact with one of these packets, you can call the NYSDOH Rabies Information Line (888) 574-6656 with questions or concerns.

READ MORE: NEW YORK STATE HAS BILLIONS IN UNCLAIMED FUNDS. 

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.

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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.

You can learn more about the rabies vaccine bait program HERE.