Baits intended to mitigate the spread of rabies will soon be distributed in Marion and Rochester.

According to a press release from the Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force, the first raccoon-variant rabies case on Cape Cod in over eight years was documented in Hyannis nearly three years ago.

As a result, the United States Department of Agriculture implemented an emergency trap-vaccinate-release campaign throughout the mid-Cape to prevent the disease from spreading, vaccinating and tagging more than 700 raccoons.

To further mitigate the spread of disease, oral rabies vaccine baits were distributed throughout Cape Cod in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, those baits were distributed in certain Cape Cod and Plymouth County towns, including Marion, Rochester, Wareham, Middleboro and Lakeville.

Beginning May 6, that zone will be baited again, according to a Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force press release. Aerial operations will last three or four days, weather permitting, and a low-flying red and black helicopter may be observed. Ground operations conducted by town, county, federal employees and volunteers will also occur from May 6 to 10.

The public is asked to leave baits undisturbed should they be encountered. People and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits. The baits are not toxic to pets but may cause an upset stomach if ingested due to the richness of the bait attractant. If contact with an oral rabies vaccine bait occurs, immediately rinse the area with warm water and soap and call 877-722-6725.

Visit the Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force Facebook page for more information.