Residents in parts of northern Chautauqua County may notice small baits being dropped from airplanes next week. It's part of an effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies nationwide. The USDA initiative involves field evaluation of a new oral rabies vaccine throughout Western New York, using both hand and aerial distribution methods. The dropping of baits in Chautauqua County will occur from May 18-25 in the Village of Brocton and the towns of Portland, Arkwright and Villenova. The baits include a sealed plastic pack which holds the vaccine. The packs are surrounded with a sweet substance that includes fishmeal, vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor and/or dark-green food dye. The baits are designed to be appealing to wildlife so animals will eat the bait and pierce the plastic pack, which will expose the animal to the vaccine.
