Oral rabies vaccines will be distributed by plane, helicopter in Orleans, Genesee

ONRAB “Ultralite” bait will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in parts of Genesee and Orleans counties this month.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Genesee and Orleans counties, along with other regions in New York State, are once again participating in a nationally coordinated effort to stop the spread of raccoon rabies across 13 states.

As part of this initiative, ongoing field assessments of the oral rabies vaccine (ORV) known as ONRAB will take place in the following counties: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming.

Weather permitting, ONRAB baits will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in Genesee and Orleans counties between Aug. 13 and Aug. 24. These areas were selected due to existing collaborations with Quebec and Ontario, Canada, as part of the continued effort to combat rabies. The goal is to protect both human and animal health while reducing the significant costs associated with managing rabies across wide geographic regions.

“Rabies is a serious public health concern, as it is almost always fatal if left untreated,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

This map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the areas where oral rabies vaccines will be delivered in WNY.

In the United States, the costs associated with rabies detection, prevention, and control exceed $500 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90% of reported rabies cases occur in wildlife. Efforts are primarily focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for the majority of wildlife rabies cases nationwide.

Raccoon rabies is present in all states east of the established Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) zone, which stretches from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to effective oral vaccines and bait options for all target wildlife species is critical to the long-term success of rabies control efforts.

The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine.

To attract wildlife, the blister pack is coated with a sweet-smelling mixture made from vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavoring, and a dark green food-grade dye.

The bait is not harmful to humans or pets, and rabies cannot be contracted from contact with it. However, if you come across a bait packet, leave it undisturbed. Most baits are consumed by wildlife within four days, and nearly all will be gone within a week. If you come into direct contact with a bait, wash the affected area thoroughly with warm water and soap.

Do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth. The bait is not harmful, and trying to take it away may result in being bitten and exposed to the vaccine.

If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 268-2289.

This shows the proposed plan for ONRAB Bait Distribution in three regions of New York during the summer 2025.