Allegheny Co. To Use Helicopters, Planes To Drop Raccoon Bait

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA — Don't be concerned if you soon see helicopters and airplanes flying slowly around your neighborhood multiple times. The packets they will be dropping aren't some part of some covert military operation; it's an attempt to stem the spread of rabies among raccoons.

The Allegheny County Health Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin the annual raccoon rabies vaccine baiting program on Aug. 2 and it will include the use of aircraft.

Crews will distribute more than 300,000 baits in all 130 county municipalities, and in parts of Beaver and Washington counties. Bait will be spread by hand from Aug. 2-10; aircraft will take over the task for the rest of the month.

The oral rabies vaccine bait consists of a square block made from a compressed mixture of fishmeal and fish oil known to attract raccoons. The vaccine, dyed pink is inside a plastic packet that is inserted in the middle of the block.

Most of the baits will be consumed about five days after being distributed.

The baits are not harmful to pets, residents are asked to keep their dogs and cats inside or on leash, so pets don’t eat the baits before raccoons can. To ensure raccoons are hungry, the health department asks residents to bring food sources indoors and make sure that garbage
containers outdoors have secure lids.

People should avoid contact with the bait, but anyone who touches it or comes in contact with it or the liquid vaccine inside should wash any exposed area of skin with soap and water.

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