Lewis County to have rabies bait drop in early August

LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Lewis County Department of Public Health has been notified by the New York State Department of Health that a rabies bait drop will occur in several Lewis County towns in the first week of August.

Starting on August 2, United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services will be will be distributing oral rabies vaccination (ORV) baits to target raccoons, skunks, and other wildlife to help combat the spread of rabies.

The baits will be distributed in a couple of different ways. These baits will be dropped from low-flying, fixed-wing airplanes over the Black River Valley. There will also be ground baiting by car that will occur in the Village of Lowville and near the county line by Carthage and West Carthage.

These ORV baits are about the size of a single-serving condiment packet. They are also dyed green and are coated with a sweet substance to attract raccoons and other wildlife.

Anyone that encounters these baits should leave them alone or toss them deeper into the woods if they are still whole.

People should use gloves or a towel if they handle the baits or wash their hands afterwards. The packets are not dangerous to pets, but they can get upset stomachs if they eat a larger number of them.

Anyone that comes into contact with the liquid inside of the bat should wash their hands immediately and contact Public Health at 315-376-5453.

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