Vaccine baits for raccoons will be distributed across West Virginia next week in an annual effort to form a protective barrier against rabies.

The oral baits will be administered by hand or dropped by aircraft in 26 counties. Raccoons are attracted to the fishmeal baits, which trigger an immune response once the animals eat them.

The baits aren't harmful to humans or pets but health officials say they should be left alone.

West Virginia has averaged 109 cases of animal rabies each year since 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 90 percent of all rabies cases occur in wild animals, and the majority of those are in raccoons.

The project is a joint effort of state and federal health and agriculture agencies and local health departments.