(July 16, 2003)
The Allegheny County Health Department is asking the public to identify raccoon "hot spots" for its raccoon rabies vaccination baiting program scheduled the week of August 11.

Health Department staff will visit every municipality and distribute bait containing rabies vaccine in an effort to combat an outbreak of raccoon rabies and prevent its spread to humans.

"We'll be distributing bait in raccoon habitats along roads, in wooded areas and green spaces and want to make an extra effort to bait areas where raccoon activity is reported by the public," said County Health Director Dr. Bruce W. Dixon.

The public is urged to report "hot spots," areas where a single raccoon has been seen on more than one day or where several raccoons have been seen at any given time.

People should identify the municipality, the street name and a block number, if the raccoon activity is confined to a section of the street. If there is no street or the street name or block number is unknown, landmarks or reference points may be used to describe the area.

Only general public areas can be baited, not private properties, and bait cannot be provided to individuals because only trained Health Department personnel are legally authorized to distribute rabies vaccine.

Raccoon hot spots may be reported by calling the Allegheny County Health Department at 412-687-ACHD or visiting www.achd.net.

Due to a limited supply of vaccine, the Health Department may not be able to bait every area reported by the public.

Visit the Health Department's HomePage.