The Allegheny County Health Department and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services will distribute rabies vaccine baits by vehicle and aircraft from Aug. 1 through Aug. 30, 2024, including in South Fayette Township.
The baits will be delivered by hand from ground vehicles (Aug. 5 - Aug. 9) and by aircraft, including helicopter and fixed-wing airplane (through Aug. 30). You may notice aircraft flying low over residential areas and, at times, moving slowly over the same area multiple times within a short period.
Humans and pets should avoid contact with the baits. The risk of adverse effects to human and animals is minimal, but the health department urges the public to avoid contact with the bait if possible. If you must move a stray bait, pick it up using rubber or latex gloves, or a shovel. You may toss intact baits into a fence row, woodlot, ditch or other raccoon habitat area.
Keep dogs on a leash, indoors or confined to their property as much as possible during local baiting and for a week afterward.
A vaccine is a blister packet coated in fishmeal or a vanilla-flavored, waxy substance. The scent attracts raccoons who eat the bait and vaccine, resulting in the development of antibodies to the rabies virus. The vaccine cannot cause rabies.