|
Rabies Vaccine Bait Drop Scheduled for August 11 – 14
for Portions of Lewis County
Published: July 28, 2023 at
0945 a.m.
By: Press Release from Lewis County Public Health
 
Rabies Bait Drop
 Lewis County Public Health has been
notified by the New York State Department of Health that a rabies bait drop
will occur in several Lewis County townships beginning August 11th through
approximately August 14th, weather dependent. The United States Department of
Agriculture, Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) will be distributing oral rabies
vaccination (ORV) baits to target raccoons, skunks, and other wildlife to
help stop further spread of rabies.
The baits will be dropped from low-flying,
fixed-wing airplanes over the Black River Valley. Additionally, ground baiting via car will
occur in the Village of Lowville during the week prior to the bait drop.
ORV baits are
about the size of a single-serving condiment packet, are dyed green, and
are coated with a sweet substance to attract raccoons and other
wildlife. It is recommended that
anyone who finds a bait leave it alone, or if it
is intact and out in the open, they can toss it deeper into the woods or
brush where a wild animal is more likely to find it. People should wear gloves or use a towel
if it is necessary to handle baits and wash their hands afterward. Pet owners should not attempt to take
baits away from their pets, as they may be bitten in the process and
exposed to the vaccine. Although
baits are not harmful to pets, ingestion of a large number of baits may
cause temporary stomach upset. Anyone who comes in
contact with the liquid vaccine contained within the bait should
wash their hands immediately and contact Lewis County Public Health at
315-376-5453 for further guidance.
|
