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Public Health Announces Oral Rabies Vaccination Bait
Drop Scheduled for Portions of Lewis County August 1st Through 4th
Published: July 28, 2025 at
11:00 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 1st
through August 4th, 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.
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, it can be tossed 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. Any pets
that become ill from bait consumption should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
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.
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