ACHD Oral Rabies Vaccine Program
From
Chalfant
Sent
Tue, Jul 30 @ 9:31am
Description
For over 20 years, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services (USDA) to distribute oral rabies vaccine for raccoons throughout Allegheny County. This year, staff from both organizations will be distributing vaccine-containing baits from August 1 through August 30 across Allegheny County.
The baits will be delivered both by hand from ground vehicles and by aircraft, including helicopter and fixed wing airplanes. The aircraft will be flying low over residential areas and at times, residents may see aircraft moving slowly over the same area repeatedly within a short period of time. Hand baiting will occur from August 5 through August 9.
A vaccine is a blister packet is coated in fishmeal or a vanilla flavored, waxy substance. The scent attracts the raccoons to eat the bait and vaccine, resulting in the development of antibodies to the rabies virus. The vaccine cannot cause rabies.
The risk of adverse effects to humans and animals due to exposure to the vaccine is minimal, but it is best for the public to avoid contact with the bait if possible. If a stray bait must be moved, it should be picked up using rubber or latex gloves, or a shovel. You may toss intact baits into a fencerow, woodlot, ditch, or other raccoon habitat areas.
ACHD is asking the public to keep their dogs on a leash, indoors, or confined to their property as much as possible during baiting and the week after.
If you need further information, please contact Jamie Sokol, Operations Manager at ACHD’s Housing and Community Environment Program by emailing Jamie.Sokol@AlleghenyCounty.US or calling 412-350-4046. For information concerning accidental contact with baits, please call 1-888-461-0223
This notification was posted by Chalfant. Chalfant is solely responsible for this notification and unless specifically indicated, no other community or individual utilizing Savvy Citizen is sponsoring, responsible for, or endorsing this notification.
