Oral rabies baiting to take place in Tuscarawas County
The bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride blister pack covered with a sweet-smelling dark green waxy coating.
The Tuscarawas County Health Department received word from the Ohio Department of Agriculture on Aug. 1 that a raccoon has been confirmed positive with raccoon rabies variant in Tuscarawas County.
As a result the USDA will begin oral rabies vaccine baiting in areas of Tuscarawas County immediately following baiting in Stark County, which will occur from Aug. 19-24. The oral bait will be dropped from fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
Keep the following information in mind:
—Know what the baits look like. The bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride blister pack covered with a sweet-smelling dark green waxy coating.
—Instruct children to leave the baits alone.
—The baits are not harmful to pets. Once your area is baited, keep dogs and cats inside or on leashes for up to five days. Most baits disappear within 24 hours; however, it is important raccoons have every opportunity to eat them.
—Do not attempt to take bait away from your pet, which may bite you.
—Anyone handling baits should wear gloves. If baits are found in areas frequented by pets or children, toss them into deeper cover. Damaged baits can be disposed of in the trash.
—If a person is exposed to the vaccine (liquid) within the bait, thoroughly wash any areas of the skin that came into contact with the vaccine with soap and water.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects mammals and people. It is almost always fatal. Rabies vaccine baiting operations are intended to immunize raccoons that are at greatest risk of being exposed to raccoon rabies coming into the state. This will then create an immune barrier along the Ohio state line that can prevent the spread of raccoon rabies variant into the rest of the state.
For questions regarding the ORV bait drop, call the Tuscarawas County Health Department at 330-343-5550.