LISBON, Ohio — The Columbiana County Health Department district staff along with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Salem City Health Department and East Liverpool City Health Department will be distributing Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) baits in the county Aug.26 through Sept. 6.
ORV baits will be distributed in 14 eastern Ohio counties along with areas on the corridor of the Ohio River in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
Baits will be distributed by plane in rural areas of the county and ground baiting by health departments in urban and suburban neighborhoods. A helicopter will also target urban and suburban areas, parks and preserves.
Precautions
If you find a ORV bait, leave it alone, unless they are where children or pets play. To move the baits safely, wear gloves or use a barrier when picking up the baits, toss intact baits into a wooded area or other raccoon habitat. Bag and dispose of any damaged baits in the trash. Make sure to wash potential exposed skin with soap and water if bait is damaged.
If your pet is eating the bait, don’t panic. Eating a large number may only cause an upset stomach. Avoid the pet’s saliva for 24 hours to prevent contamination.
Information
For more information contact the Rabies Information Line at 614-752-1387, The Columbiana County Health Department at 330-424-0272, The Salem City Health Department at 330-332-1618 or the East Liverpool City Health Department at 330-385-7900.
