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Ohio Releasing Baits With Rabies Vaccine In Eastern Counties
By: Associated Press
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Ohio will begin putting out baits laced with rabies vaccine on Monday in the eastern part of the state in an effort to stop the disease from spreading.
Counties in the WOUB coverage area include portions of Monroe, Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison and Carroll counties.
The Ohio Department of Health says the baiting will continue through Sept. 20 and cover 4,334 square miles. The coated baits intended for raccoons are about the size of ketchup packets. They are white and rolled in a brown fishmeal glaze known to attract raccoons.
Baits will be distributed by aircraft and vehicles.
Five raccoon-rabies cases have been confirmed this year. The cases include four raccoons in Mahoning County and one cat in Trumbull County.
Rabies is a viral disease that affects people and animals and is almost always fatal.
Bats, raccoons and skunks pose the greatest risk of rabies in Ohio.