The Allegheny County Health Department will conduct an oral raccoon rabies baiting project in Western Pennsylvania. This program has been in place since 2001 and will continue this year and next year due to its success in reducing the population of rabies infected raccoons.
The Allegheny County Health Department has provided the following information:
There are two types of baits that will be used this year: one in which vaccine contained in a plastic sachet is enclosed in fishmeal pellets and a second in which the plastic sachet is coated with a fish oil cent. The vaccine, when consumed by raccoons, results in their developing antibodies to the rabies virus. The baits pose no appreciable risk to humans or pets (more information contained in the links below).
Health Department employees will apply bait by hand in all municipalities on foot and from vehicles. On land baiting is scheduled to begin the week of August 23, 2010 in Allegheny county.
Below are two documents that provide additional information regarding the vaccination program, along with numbers of County Departments that may be contacted with questions.
