Wildlife biologists from the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Cornell University will be dropping oral vaccines down into parts of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island from a low-flying helicopter this week to help prevent the spread of rabies in raccoons.

Between 8am to 8pm, from Monday, August 27 through Friday, August 31, a helicopter will drop bait in areas populated by raccoons while avoiding dense residential areas, roadways, parking lots, and open fields. Bait stations will also be set up in wooded areas in Brooklyn and Queens from September through October.

Oral rabies vaccine packets will be distributed to vaccinate raccoons in parts of Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens through Friday, 8/31: https://t.co/7nDOqbOD3j pic.twitter.com/1EhapqyqvP — nycHealthy (@nycHealthy) August 27, 2018

Fish-scented bait resembling brown ketchup packets and containing a pink, liquid vaccine will be distributed. When raccoons chew on the bait and swallow the vaccine, they’ll become immunized, preventing them from being infected with the virus, according to the NYC Department of Health (DOH).

The bait is not harmful to people, but if exposure to the liquid vaccine happens to cause a rash, wash hands with warm, soapy water, and call a doctor as well as the Poison Control Center at 800.222.1222.

The bait can cause vomiting in pets if multiple packets are consumed. “If pets find the bait, do not try to take it away from them to avoid being bitten and exposed to the vaccine,” the agency advises.

To learn more about the vaccination program and how to prevent the spread of rabies, visit NYC Health. Click here for info on how to keep raccoons away from your home.