STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Cornell University will distribute oral rabies vaccines to raccoons on Staten Island next week in an effort to prevent the spread of rabies.

A low-flying USDA helicopter will drop bait from Monday, Aug. 27, through Friday, Aug. 31, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

It is the fourth year in a row Cornell has received state funding for the program in New York City, where the vaccine is believed to help prevent the spread of rabies, which occurs primarily in raccoons, bats and skunks.

The brown, fish-scented bait, which resembles a ketchup packet, will be accompanied by a concealed, small amount of pink, liquid vaccine. It will be dropped in raccoon habitats, which include woods, stream beds and sewers.

Raccoons are attracted to the odor, and when they chew the bait, they become immunized and cannot be infected with rabies.

The bait will not be dropped in densely populated residential areas, or on roadways, parking lots or open fields.

"The Health Department is committed to ensuring our residents and wildlife are safe by continuing total preventative measures against rabies," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett.

The bait, itself, will not harm people, but, in rare instances, exposure to the liquid can cause a rash.

If this happens, residents should wash hands with warm, soapy water, talk to a doctor and notify the Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222.

The bait is not harmful to pets, and cannot cause rabies. In some cases, it can cause vomiting if several baits are consumed.

To prevent the spread of rabies, Staten Islanders are reminded to take the following steps:

Always make sure to get your cat or dog a rabies shot every three years, as it is the law.

Keep cats indoors at all times, even if vaccinated.

Avoid wild, stray or unfamiliar animals, no matter how helpless they look. Even stray cats can be dangerous.

Be careful around raccoons, skunks and bats -- they are more likely than other animals to have rabies.

Always try to keep garbage in tight containers to avoid attracting animals, such as raccoons.

If bitten by an animal, wash the wound, consult a doctor and call 311 or Poison Control to report the bite. You might need a tetanus shot or rabies evaluation.

In case of bad weather, the baiting will be postponed to a later date.