May 9—WATERTOWN — The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits in Jefferson County.
Bait distribution in New York state is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by the USDA to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern U.S.
Wildlife Services typically distributes the rabies vaccine baits throughout Jefferson County in August each year. This additional bait drop will distribute baits in northern regions of Jefferson County to prevent the spread of rabies. Areas along the St. Lawrence River, the city of Watertown and LeRay will have an increased number of baits distributed, as these areas have had persistent rabies cases. Weather permitting, the baits will be distributed by air beginning Monday and continuing through Wednesday.
Baiting will be done both aerially with low flying aircraft and with ground baiting, by hand in some areas. Distribution of baits is weather dependent and inclement weather may result in extended distribution. Each vaccine-containing bait consists of a plastic blister pack coated with a sweet attractant to entice animals to eat the bait. When raccoons, foxes, skunks and coyotes eat the bait, they become vaccinated against rabies, which helps stops the spread of the deadly disease.
Anyone who finds an oral rabies vaccine bait is asked to follow these simple steps:
—Leave the bait untouched, unless it is in a lawn or driveway. Instruct children to leave the baits alone.
—If intact bait is found in areas frequented by children or pets, pick it up with paper towels/gloves and toss it into a brushy or forested area.
—If the bait is broken, the liquid should be visible. Use gloves to place the bait into a plastic bag. Cover the bait with 1:10 dilution of bleach and wipe down affected areas with bleach solution. Place the cleaning materials in a bag and dispose of in it with regular garbage.
n If you have contact with a bait, wash your skin with soap and water. Contact the phone number on the bait or call Jefferson County Public Health Service at 315-786-3700 for further guidance.
—Do not attempt to remove a bait from a pet, as you may be bitten. The bait is not harmful to pets. If by chance numerous baits are consumed, the pet may get an upset stomach. If a pet ingests a bait, avoid getting the pet’s saliva into your eyes, mucous membranes or skin lesions for 24 hours.
Always notify your medical provider or Jefferson County Public Health if you are bitten by a pet or a wild animal. Additionally, keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination. Jefferson County Public Health is hosting spring rabies vaccination clinics at Jefferson County Dog Control from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 15 and Thursday, June 19.
More information can be found online at www.jcphs.org.