Niagara County Department of Health Joins Cooperative Effort to Prevent Raccoon Rabies Spread

 

The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program (USDA-WS) will begin a spring distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits (ONRAB) across Niagara County and Western New York in May. This effort is part of a nationwide cooperative program to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States. While USDA-WS typically conducts annual baiting in late summer, this spring distribution is intended to strengthen regional rabies prevention.

Baiting will occur through aerial distribution using helicopters and low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and ground baiting (by hand) in select areas. Distribution is weather-dependent and may be adjusted due to inclement conditions.

Helicopter operations are scheduled for May 4–10 and will distribute ONRAB baits across core urban areas of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Fixed-wing aircraft operations are scheduled for May 18–25 and will distribute RABORAL® V-RG baits across surrounding suburban and rural areas, operating from Jamestown.

Ground baiting will also take place in the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls, with approximately 200 bait stations deployed in Niagara Falls.

Raccoons are vaccinated against rabies when they eat the wildlife rabies vaccine that is contained in the baits. “During the baiting period, residents may see and hear low-flying aircraft over Niagara County and may observe staff distributing green packets by hand or vehicle in Niagara Falls neighborhoods,” said Scott Ecker, Environmental Health Director.

 

The ONRAB baits are about the size of a matchbox and are comprised of vegetable shortening, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil and flavoring. The baits are not harmful to humans or pets; however, they should not be handled. If baits are found in areas where children or pets play, they may be moved using gloves or a plastic bag. Additional guidance is available in the attached Frequently Asked Questions.

 

“Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease that can be spread to people and pets through bites or scratches from infected animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bats,” said Public Health Director Dr. Fauzia Khan. “Keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccinations is not only required by New York State law, but one of the most important steps residents can take to protect their families.”

The Niagara County Department of Health offers free rabies clinics 5 times a year. The next clinic will be held Saturday, June 6 (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) at Hyde Park Centennial Pavilion, 911 Robbins Drive, Niagara Falls. Registration is required for our rabies vaccination clinics, and opens the first business day of the week of the clinic.

For a complete rabies clinic schedule visit: www.niagaracounty.gov/rabiesclinic.

Questions related to the ORV ONRAB field trial may be directed to the USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.

A. In spring and summer 2026, Wildlife Services and cooperators will distribute the ONRAB (Artemis Technologies Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ceva Sante Animale S.A., Guelph, Ontario, Canada) oral rabies vaccine in 8 states (ME, NH, NY, OH, PA, TN, VT and WV) as part of an ongoing evaluation of its effectiveness in the field. This year’s field evaluation is part of a multi-year study addressing operational questions related to bait density, flight line spacing, and effectiveness.

 

A. The ORV baits consist of a sachet, or plastic packet, containing the rabies vaccine. To make the baits attractive, the packets are sprinkled with a fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal–polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox.  See Figure 1.

 

 

A. No. The vaccine does not contain the live rabies virus; however, it contains a single gene that may cause a local pox-type infection in people who are pregnant or have an immunodeficiency disease. Anyone who comes into contact with the liquid vaccine should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and call the phone number listed on the bait or your local health department for further instructions and referral.  

 

A. It is recommended that if bait is found it is not disturbed unless it is on your lawn, driveway, or other area where it is not likely to attract a raccoon or other wild animal. While wearing a glove or other protective covering (i.e., plastic bag), you could move bait to a wooded area where a raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote will be more likely to find it. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with a bait.

 

A. An intact bait will not harm you, but the bait coating may get on your skin. If a blister pack within the bait is broken and the liquid vaccine is visible, use protective gloves or pick the bait up in a plastic bag without making contact with it. Cover the bait with 1:10 dilution of household bleach, and wipe down affected areas with bleach solution. Place cleaning materials in a bag and dispose of the bag in regular garbage. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with bait. If you suspect you have been exposed to the vaccine, please contact Niagara County Department of Health’s Environmental Division at (716) 439-7444.

A. You can use a plastic bag or paper towel to prevent you from coming into direct contact with the bait and vaccine. Be sure to dispose of it after use.

 

 

A. This vaccine has been shown to be safe in over 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Eating a large number of baits may cause a temporarily upset stomach in your pet, but it does not pose a long-term health risk. Do not attempt to remove a bait from your pet’s mouth; doing so may cause you to be bitten and could lead to vaccine exposure. If your pet becomes ill from bait consumption, please contact your veterinarian for more information.

 

A. Studies have shown that most baits are eaten within 4 days, and almost all baits are gone in 1 week. If baits are not found and eaten, they will dissolve and expose the vaccine. Sunlight and exposure to air inactivates the vaccine.

 

A. When a raccoon bites into a bait, the vaccine packet is punctured allowing the vaccine into the animal’s mouth. The raccoon’s immune system is then tricked into thinking it has been exposed to the rabies virus and makes antibodies to fight the disease. The blueprint on how to make these antibodies is stored in the raccoon’s immune system, allowing its body to respond should it be exposed to a rabid animal.

 

A. Research suggests this vaccine should be effective for more than a year; however, it is difficult to determine how immune systems in individual animals will respond to the vaccine.

 

A. Working with employees from cooperating agencies, WS distributes baits in urban and suburban areas by vehicle or by helicopter. These are the most effective approaches for distributing the bait and minimizing human contact with baits.

 

A. In rural or open areas, WS distributes baits using aircraft. Depending on the distribution area and availability of aircraft, a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft may be used.

 

A. If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 268-2289.