Jefferson County General Health District Promotes Health & Safety

ALERT: Oral Rabies Vaccination (OVR) Baiting Program

Beginning August 1, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services Program, in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and several Ohio local health departments (LHDs) will begin distributing an oral rabies vaccine (ORV) to immunize wild raccoons. Baiting will occur in Ashtabula, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning, Monroe, Portage, and Trumbull counties as well as the cities of Ashtabula, Conneaut, East Palestine, Geneva, Hubbard, Lisbon, Newton Falls, and Warren. Contingent on good weather, the operation should be completed by August 23, 2022.

The ONRAB bait is a blister pack filled with the vaccine and coated with a sweet attractant. When an animal bites into one of the baits it will release the vaccine into their mouth and, with an adequate dose, develop immunity to rabies. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the bait but are asked to leave the bait undisturbed if they encounter it. If contact with bait occurs, the contact area should be immediately rinsed with warm water and soap. Each bait carries a toll-free number that people can call if they have additional questions concerning a bait contact.

Jefferson County Schedule

Helicopter Baiting (USDA WS)

• Start on or around August 8, 2022
• Weather permitting, end August 10, 2022
• Areas include Ashtabula, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning, Monroe, Portage, and Trumbull

Fixed-Wing Baiting (USDA WS)

• Start on or around August 18, 2022
• Weather permitting, end August 22, 2022
• Areas include Ashtabula, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Geauga, Harrison, Jefferson, Lake, Mahoning, Monroe, Portage, and Trumbull