hBaiting effort started against rabies' spread

hBaiting effort startedagainst rabies' spread
The Ohio Department of Health, with the support of other state and federal agencies including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife began oral raccoon vaccination baiting last week in Ohio.
The program plans to cover 3,289 square miles of the state's eastern border including Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana and Jefferson counties, and parts of Carroll, Harrison, Belmont and Monroe counties. This is the same area baited last fall and the process will take about two weeks to complete.
"Collaborating with Animal Plant Health Inspection Service on this multi-state effort will prevent further spread of rabies and will help protect public health as well as our domestic animals and wildlife," said ODH Director, J. Nick Baird M.D. "We feel Ohio's success with the oral rabies vaccine was a key factor in other states deciding to join the Oral Rabies Vaccination project."
Most of the baits will be distributed by air, with the use of three specially equipped planes from the Ontario [Canada] Ministry of Natural Resources and a helicopter from the ODNR.
In urban and residential areas, vaccine laden baits will be distributed by car .
Ohio's partners in the multistate baiting are: Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Tennessee, in what is known as the Appalachian Ridge Oral Rabies Vaccination program.
The six-state effort will involve distribution of about 4.7 million baits and cover more than 25,400 square miles.
Residents are reminded to leave baits alone and to keep pets confined during the baiting period. Dogs in particular, are attracted to the baits and will occasionally eat them. The baits are not harmful to pets.
In addition:
UThe baits are 1.25 x 1.25 x .75 inches, brown and square. The vaccine packet is encased in a hard, fishmeal polymer shell.
UInstruct children to leave the baits alone.
UOnce your area is baited, keep dogs and cats inside or on leashes for at least a week. It is important that raccoons have every opportunity to eat the baits.
UAnyone handling baits should wear gloves.
UIf baits are found in areas frequented by pets or children, toss them into deeper cover. Damaged baits can be disposed of in the trash.
UIf a person is exposed to the vaccine (red liquid), wash any areas of the skin that came into contact with the vaccine thoroughly with soap and water.
UIf someone has been exposed to the vaccine or has questions, call the local health department or ODH's information line at (888) RABIES-1.
CLUBS
Annual field day todayat Mahoning Sportsmens Association grounds
The Mahoning Sportsmens Association will hold a field day today.
Events planned include trap from noon to dark, a 3-D shoot from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rifle, pistol, muzzleloader and shotgun shoots from noon to dark, a turkey shoot from 1:30 to 5 p.m., and a fishing tournament for children 12 and under from 2 to 4 p.m.
The event is open to the public. The club is 11/2 miles south of U.S. Route 224 at State Line Marker (Main Street) in Hillsville, Pa.
For information call the clubhouse at (724) 667-8555.
FISH
White amurs for sale
Orders for white amur fish will be accepted at the Trumbull County Soil and Water District in Cortland until Sept. 26.
Information on the fish and pickup dates and times can be obtained by calling the district office at (330) 637-2056.