08/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/05/2024 09:36
USDA program delivers oral rabies vaccine for wildlife by airplane from August 12-17 and by helicopter from August 17-21; Erie County vector control staff will distribute on the ground starting August 17
Look up in the sky from August 12-21 (2024) in Erie County, and you might see low-flying planes or helicopters in your neighborhood, part of a nationwide effort to protect wildlife against rabies, a disease that is 100% fatal to animals and humans.
"This oral rabies vaccine is intended for raccoons, foxes and coyotes and to give them protection against rabies infection," said Deputy Director of Environmental Health Peter Tripi, who manages the county's Vector Control Program. "This program reduces the risk of rabies transmission when wildlife comes in contact with humans or domestic animals like dogs and cats."
The oral rabies vaccine bait is contained in small green packets about the size of a quarter coin. To make the bait attractive to wildlife, the vaccine packets are coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye.
"Pet owners should see this as a reminder to keep their dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies," continued Tripi. "Rabies infection means certain, painful death for humans and pets. We have a responsibility to protect public health and pet health with rabies vaccines. Check with your veterinarian, and know that ECDOH will have two free rabies vaccine clinics scheduled for September."
Residents who come in contact with wildlife vaccine packets can call the NYSDOH Rabies Information Line (888) 574-6656 with questions or concerns.
Additional recommendations include:
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National Rabies Management Program Overview | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (usda.gov)
Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) Rabies, Rodents, Arboviruses and Related Information: https://www3.erie.gov/health/rabies-rodents-vectors-arboviruses-and-related-information
New York State Department of Health, Rabies: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/rabies
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rabies: https://www.cdc.gov/rabies
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