With an additional rabid raccoon reported on Sept. 2, bringing the total to four in recent weeks, the New York State Department of Health and the United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services (USDA) distributed raccoon rabies vaccine by hand and helicopter this week in an effort to protect residents from rabies. Veterinarians and wildlife biologists from the New York State Department of Health Zoonoses Program conducted the vaccination program in cooperation with the USDA.

Over the course of the week, a low-flying helicopter dropped small packets of an oral rabies vaccine in raccoon habitats, including woods, bushes and stream beds. Hand baiting was used to target more densely populated residential areas across approximately 34-square miles. The bait is a small, condiment-like packet of liquid vaccine coated with fishmeal crumbles or presented as a brown fishmeal cube to attract raccoons. Hand distribution, which began Friday. Sept 10 and continued through Sept. 15, was conducted via truck in two more densely populated areas, one south and one west of the helicopter baiting area, and included parts of the Towns of Oyster Bay and North Hempstead and City of Glen Cove.

Helicopter baiting took place on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. The helicopter flew over an approximate 32-square mile, less densely populated area within three miles of the rabid raccoons, primarily in the Town of Oyster Bay and part of the Town of North Hempstead. The area covered by helicopter was bounded approximately by Glen Cove Road on the west; the Long Island Railroad's Oyster Bay line to the north; Route 106 (with some extension east at the southern end) to the east; and Jericho Turnpike on the south.

Among those areas to receive ground and/or air baiting were:

Carle Place

East Meadow

East Williston

Flower Hill

Glen Cove

Glen Head

Glenwood Landing

Hicksville

Levittown

New Cassel

Port Washington

Salisbury

Sea Cliff

Roslyn

Roslyn Estates

Roslyn Harbor

Roslyn Heights

Westbury

With four raccoons infected with rabies, there is a high probability that other raccoons are also infected. Therefore, according to the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), the threat to wildlife and domestic animals from terrestrial rabies made quick action necessary to prevent rabies from becoming endemic here.

Rabies is a viral infection that affects the nervous system of raccoons and other mammals, including humans. The disease is always fatal once clinical signs of infection occur. Vaccination will greatly decrease the chance of human and domestic animal contact with rabid raccoons. Rabies is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, the virus may also be transmitted when the saliva of a rabid animal comes into contact with cut, open or scratched skin lesions.

• Keep all dogs and cats indoors or on leashes for about a week after the baiting. This will allow raccoons to eat the vaccine-laden baits and become immunized and will decrease the chance of pets eating the baits.

• The baits are not harmful to dogs or cats. If a dog or cat ingests the vaccine, it will not harm them in any way. However, a pet may vomit if they eat large amounts of the vaccine.

• Remember that it is not possible to get rabies from the vaccine. The vaccine does not contain the rabies virus.

• If a resident finds bait near their homes, but not in the open, they should leave it alone. The bait packets have a strong fishmeal smell that is not attractive to people or most other animals. There is a label ("Rabies Vaccine Live Vaccinia Vector. Do Not Disturb") that clearly identifies the bait packet.

• If bait is intact and out in the open where pets or children are more likely to encounter it, toss it into deeper cover under trees or bushes while wearing gloves.

• Residents should not try to trap raccoons themselves. Call a licensed trapper.

For more information regarding rabies and baiting, contact the Nassau County Department of Health at 571-2500; www.co.nassau.ny.us/health or the New York State Department of Health at 1-518-474-3186 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/zoonoses/rabies.htm

The Nassau County Department of Health advises residents to call Winthrop-University Hospital's Poison Control Center if there is exposure to the liquid that is inside the bait packet. While it is not possible to get rabies from the vaccine, the poison center is ready to answer any questions residents may have in the event of exposure. Each call is evaluated by trained Poison Information Specialists/Nurses who determine the necessary first aid or medical treatment needed.

The Long Island Regional Poison and Drug Information Center at Winthrop-University Hospital is certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers and is staffed by certified and trained specialists. The poison center is one of the largest certified regional poison control centers in the nation and the only one of its kind on Long Island, responding to over 150 calls daily.

For information regarding a possible exposure, call Winthrop's Poison Center immediately at 542-2323; 663-2650 or 1-800-222-1222.