So far in 2014, one raccoon in Mahoning County tested positive for rabies

Staff report

COLUMBUS

Oral rabies-vaccine baits will be distributed beginning today in 14 northeast and eastern Ohio counties, including Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull.

During 2013, 10 animals were confirmed to be infected with raccoon-rabies variant virus in Ohio, including four raccoons in Mahoning County and three raccoons and three cats in Trumbull County. So far in 2014, one raccoon in Mahoning County has tested positive for raccoon-rabies variant. Details of rabies cases are available on the Ohio Department of Health website.

Weather permitting, ODH and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local health departments, will cover 4,158 square miles of the state’s northeastern and eastern border. Bait distribution should be completed by Sept. 19, according to ODNR.

Bait distribution with the oral rabies vaccine Raboral V-RG will take place in all of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning and Trumbull counties and parts of Belmont, Carroll, Harrison and Monroe counties.

Baits will be distributed by various methods in each county, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter and vehicles staffed by USDA and local health-department personnel.

Residents in the areas to be baited should be aware of low-flying aircraft and should keep children and pets away from the baits. Officials urge residents who find an ORV bait to leave it alone unless it is unsafe because it is near where children or pets play. To move the baits safely, wear gloves or use a barrier when picking them up, and toss the intact baits into a wooded area or other raccoon habitat. The baits are not harmful to pets.