Portage County health district distributes rabies vaccine bait

Here’s a PSA from the Portage County Combined General Health District: If you come across a strange-looking blister packet while you’re out and about, don’t pick it up.

To vaccinate raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes in eastern Ohio, government agencies are teaming up to distribute an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) bait by ground and aircraft. The baits are about the size of a matchbox and are coated with fishmeal flavoring or a sweet vanilla wax. If you find one, leave it alone unless it is located where children or pets play.

If you must move one, wear gloves or use a paper towel or plastic bag to pick it up. Toss intact baits into a wooded area or other wildlife habitat. If you find a damaged bait packet, bag and trash it, as well. Wash all parts of your body that may have come in contact with ORV baits — especially those with damaged packets — with soap and water.

Should your pet eat a bait packet, know that even a few are not harmful. Do not try to take the bait packet from your pet: you may risk getting bit or being exposed to the vaccine. Avoid your pet’s saliva for 24 hours after it ingests a bait packet, and wash any areas that have been licked.

If your pet eats a large number of packets, it may suffer an upset stomach and have diarrhea. If you experience rash, fever, sore throat, headache, conjunctivitis, vomiting or diarrhea within 21 days of your skin, eyes or mucous membranes being exposed to the ORV, seek medical attention.

Left untreated, rabies is a viral disease that is 100% fatal. It is found in the saliva of affected animals. Raccoons, skunks and bats are most often responsible for reported rabies cases, but it is also commonly transmitted by foxes and coyotes. It is spread by a bite or scratch.

Call your veterinarian if your pet encounters a wild animal. Rabies exposures in Portage County should be reported to the Portage County Health District at 330-296-9919, ext. 135.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from rabies is to avoid contact with wild animals and animals you don’t know. Also, vaccinate your pets and keep them current with their shots.

The ORV program is ongoing until mid-September. Questions? Call USDA Wildlife Services at 330-726-3386 or 866-4-USDA, or the Ohio Department of Health at 888-574-6656 or 614-752-1387.