Counties bait raccoons to fight rabies

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Two counties in western NY are using planes and helicopters to drop bait containing rabies vaccine to try to stem the spread of the disease in raccoons.

On Tuesday, a fixed-wing aircraft was scheduled to start spreading the baits around Erie and Niagara counties. This Saturday, crews will distribute the bait by hand and on Monday, Aug. 27, a helicopter will begin four days of bait-dropping.

The bait is made of fishmeal, a wax binder, fish oil and a vaccine chamber in the middle. It's not harmful to people, pets or wildlife and is licensed for use in the U.S. and Canada.

The program is being run by the county health departments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services.