Niagara County Rabies Prevention: Aerial Baiting Campaign

The Niagara County Department of Health is participating in a regional effort to prevent raccoon rabies spread. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program began distributing oral rabies vaccine baits across Niagara County and Western New York this month.

Helicopters dropped ONRAB baits across Buffalo and Niagara Falls from May 4–10. Fixed-wing aircraft will distribute RABORAL V-RG baits across suburban and rural areas, including Sanborn, from May 18–25, operating from Jamestown. Ground crews deployed approximately 200 bait stations in Niagara Falls.

Residents may see low-flying aircraft and staff distributing green packets by hand or vehicle during the baiting period, said Scott Ecker, Environmental Health Director.

Raccoons consume the vaccine-laden baits to become vaccinated against rabies. The matchbox-sized baits contain vegetable shortening, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, and flavoring. They pose no risk to humans or pets, but residents should not handle them. Anyone finding baits in areas where children or pets play can move them with gloves or a plastic bag to a wooded area.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease spread through bites or scratches from infected animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bats. New York State law requires pet rabies vaccinations.

The Niagara County Department of Health offers free rabies clinics five times yearly. The next clinic runs Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at Hyde Park Centennial Pavilion, 911 Robbins Drive, Niagara Falls. Registration opens the first business day of the clinic week. More information is available at www.niagaracounty.gov/rabiesclinic.

For questions about the baiting program, residents can contact USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.