Niagara County Department of Health joins cooperative effort to wipe out terrestrial rabies

Oral rabies vaccine distribution project slated to begin Aug. 12

Article and Graphic Provided by the Niagara County Department of Health

The Niagara County Department of Health environmental division is part of a collaborative effort to prevent the spread of rabies in the Western New York region through dissemination of oral rabies vaccine (ORV). Implementation of this program in New York is a cooperative effort between USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and other agencies that include both the Niagara and Erie County departments of health. This is the 12th year Niagara County has participated in the field trial to study the efficacy of ORV against rabies in the wild.

The field trial includes aerial and hand distribution of rabies vaccine-containing baits (ONRAB brand). Fixed wing aircraft distribution is scheduled from Aug. 12-16, helicopter distribution Aug. 18 (for up to four days), and hand baiting Aug. 19 – all weather-dependent.

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 and Erie counties, as well as portions of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, and may observe local health department staff distributing green packets by hand and car around Niagara Falls and Buffalo neighborhoods,” said Paul Dicky, 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. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from the bait. It is anticipated that 468,000 baits will be distributed over Niagara and Erie counties.

If you find ORV baits, leave them alone, unless they are found where children or pets play. Follow ORV recommendations (see frequently asked questions).

“Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can be spread to people and pets through bites or scratches of an infected animal (raccoons, skunks, bats and other mammals). Rabies primarily affects the central nervous system, leading to severe brain disease and death if medical care is not received before symptoms start. Rabies vaccine is a key tool in preventing spread of the disease,” explained Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton, who added, “Keeping your pets up to date on rabies vaccine is not only NYS law, but one of the most important things you can do for your pets, yourself and your family to prevent rabies.”

The environmental division offers free rabies clinics five times a year. The next clinic is 9 a.m.. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Town of Lockport Highway Garage, 6560 Dysinger Road. View the complete rabies clinic schedule on our webpage at: www.niagaracounty.com/rabiesclinic.

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

(Image courtesy of the Niagara County Department of Health)

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Frequently asked questions about oral rabies vaccination program

USDA Wildlife Services (WS) 2024 ONRAB field evaluation

Q: What is the ONRAB ORV field evaluation?

A: In summer and fall 2024, 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 eight 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.

Q: What does the bait look like?

A: The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the rabies vaccine. To make the bait attractive, the blister pack containing the vaccine is coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye.

Q: Can I get rabies from contact with the vaccine?

A: No. The vaccine does not contain the live rabies virus. It contains only a single gene that is passcoded with the outer coating of the rabies virus. The virus that carries this single gene may cause an adenovirus infection in people who are pregnant or immunosuppressed. Typically, symptoms of an adenovirus include fever, sore throat, and headache (i.e., similar to a common cold). If you come into contact with the vaccine, wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and water and contact your local public health officials.

Q: What if I find an oral rabies vaccination (ORV) bait near my home?

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.

Q: Why do I need to wear a glove when handling an ORV 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 may have been exposed to the vaccine, please contact Niagara County Department of Health’s environmental division at 716-439-7444.

Q: What if I do not have a glove?

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.

Q: What if my child finds an ORV bait?

A: If your child were to bring you an intact bait, you may place the bait into an area of thick cover. If your child brings you a bait that is leaking vaccine, wash the exposed skin and contact your local public health officials for further instructions and potential referral. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with a bait.

Q: What if my dog or cat eats an ORV bait?

A: This vaccine has been shown to be safe in many 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.

Q: How long do ORV baits last in the environment?

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

Q: How does a raccoon, skunk, fox or coyote get vaccinated by eating the ORV bait?

A: The vaccine is contained inside a blister packet, which is made attractive to wildlife with a sweet attractant. When an animal bites into the bait, it punctures the blister pack and the vaccine bathes the oral cavity and tonsils, resulting in an oral vaccination against rabies. The animal’s immune system is exposed to the part of the rabies virus that causes an immune response and production of antibodies against rabies, but the vaccine cannot cause rabies. The blueprint for making antibodies to neutralize the rabies virus is stored in the animal’s immune system, allowing it to respond quickly if it is later exposed to a rabid animal.

Q: How long does the vaccine last?

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.

Q: How do you distribute ORV baits in cities and suburban areas?

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.

Q: How else does WS distribute ORV 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.

Q: How can I find out more information about this program?

A: You can dial 1-866-4-USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297) to speak with staff from wildlife services or visit the web: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/national-wildlife-programs/rabies.