Raccoon rabies baiting started Wed, concludes Friday in Mahoning County

AUSTINTOWN

The Ohio Department of Health’s annual raccoon-rabies baiting operation to prevent the spread of raccoon-rabies variant began Wednesday in Mahoning County and will finish Friday.

So far in 2013, five cases of RRV have been confirmed in the Mahoning Valley: Four raccoons in Mahoning County and one cat in Trumbull County.

Baits are distributed by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and vehicles staffed by personnel from the US Department of Agriculture and local health departments. Residents should be aware of low-flying aircraft and should keep children and pets away from the baits. The baits are not harmful to pets.

If someone has been exposed to the vaccine or has questions about the baiting, call the toll-free phone number printed on the bait, ODH at 614-752-1029, or Mahoning County District Board of Health at 330-270-2855, option 2.