Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Program to Begin In New York

Soon you will see low-flying planes and helicopters in the skies across New York State.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program is set to start the distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits in New York State.

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Weather permitting, ORV baits will be distributed by air throughout the state in August. It will begin in Jefferson County from August 2 through August 6.  Bait distribution in New York is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by USDA to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern US.

Last year plane and helicopters made their first air drops at the end of July and those air drops were followed by ground bait distribution.

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.

Officials with the health department warn people that they should Not Touch these tablets when they are dropped. 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.

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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.