Jefferson County to have annual rabies bait drop in August

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Jefferson County Department of Public Health will be having its annual bait drop starting on August 2 through August 6.

Public health officials said this is weather permitting and is in conjunction with the national bait drop program working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Baits will be dropped via low-flying aircraft and also by hand. Woodland creatures like raccoons, foxes, skunks and coyotes become vaccinated when they eat the bait.

Here are some tips if you encounter the traps in the wild:

• Leave the bait untouched, unless it is in a lawn or driveway. Instruct children to leave the baits alone.
• If intact baits are found in areas frequented by children or pets, pick it up with paper towels/gloves and toss it into a brushy or forested area.
• If the bait is broken, the liquid should be visible. Use gloves to place the bait into a plastic bag.
• Cover the bait with 1:10 dilution of bleach and wipe down affected areas with bleach solution. Place the cleaning materials in a bag and dispose of in your regular garbage.
• If you have contact with a bait, wash your skin with soap and water. Contact the phone number on the bait or call Jefferson County Public Health Service (JCPHS) at 315-786-3730 for further guidance.
• Do not attempt to remove a bait from your pet, as you may be bitten. The bait is not harmful to your pet. If by chance numerous baits are consumed, your pet may get an upset stomach. If your pet ingests a bait, avoid getting your pet’s saliva into your eyes, mucous membranes or skin lesions for 24 hours.

Always alert your medical provider or JCPHS if you are bitten by a pet or a wild animal. Also, keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination. JCPHS will be hosting summer rabies vaccination clinics throughout the month of August. The clinic dates and locations are listed at www.jcphs.org.

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