Wildlife Rabies Vaccine Packets Distributed Across Erie County

Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Program

In a coordination between New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal, Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, and Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), a wildlife vaccination program for rabies is taking place July 30-August 17, depending on weather conditions.  Rabies vaccine packet bait will be distributed by aircraft and by workers on the ground.

• July 29 - August 3: Ground bait distribution in urban and suburban areas of Erie County will take place
• July 30- August 3: Helicopter distribution will start, depending on weather conditions
• August 15-17: Fixed wing aircraft will distribute vaccine packets in WNY counties in: Erie, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming, also depending on weather conditions
• All distributions are weather-dependent.

Precautions during the Rabies Program: 

• Supervise children’s outdoor activities during bait distribution and for one week afterward
• Confine dogs and cats indoors and observe leash laws during the bait distribution interval and for one week afterward to help increase the probability of raccoon vaccination and decrease the chance of pets finding the baits. Baits and vaccines are not harmful to domestic animals. However, an animal may vomit if it consumes several baits.
• Residents should not risk being bitten while trying to remove bait from your pet’s mouth.

If you see the wildlife vaccine packets:

• Do NOT disturb vaccine packets. Most packets are eaten within four days; almost all baits will be gone within a week. If packets are not found and eaten, they will harmlessly dissolve and exposed vaccine will become inactivated.
• 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 or other raccoon/wildlife habitat.
  • Residents should WASH HANDS IMMEDIATELY if they come into direct contact with the vaccine or packets, then call the NYSDOH Rabies Information Line at (888) 574-6656.

SOURCE:  Find additional resources and information about the rabies vaccination program at Erie County Department of Health's website

Additional ECDOH Rabies Information