Oral rabies vaccination program

Currently there are 16 states distributing oral vaccines for raccoons in the U. To make the baits attractive, the sachets containing vaccine are sprinkled with fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal polymer baits about the size of a matchbox.

When an animal finds a bait and bites into it, the sachet ruptures, allowing the animal to swallow the vaccine. Animals that swallow an adequate dose of the vaccine, develop immunity to rabies.

As the number of vaccinated animals in the population increases, they act as a buffer to stop the spread of the disease to other wildlife, domestic animals, and people. The ORV baits are distributed by air and ground personnel. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects the nervous system of mammals. Several different variants of the rabies virus exist in the United States.

Each variant is spread predominantly by one wildlife species, but all variants are capable of infecting mammals, including humans. Raccoons and skunks account for the most reported cases, but bats, foxes, and coyotes are also among the commonly infected wildlife species. Oral rabies vaccination baits are coated with a fishmeal attractant and may be packaged in one-inch square cubes or two-inch plastic sachets. The Dalton, GA project will cover parts of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee and distribute , baits by fixed-wing aircraft and 23, by hand.

Listed below are helpful hints on how to reduce the possibility of contracting the rabies virus. People are most frequently exposed to the rabies virus through their pets.

Dogs and cats can become infected by means of exposure to rabid wildlife. Fortunately, rabies can be prevented through the use of vaccines for humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. By combining the expertise of human health care providers, veterinarians, and wildlife professionals, rabies management programs can improve the health and well-being of all species impacted by the disease. In the United States, approximately 90 percent of reported rabies cases occur in wildlife.

Wildlife species that are often susceptible to rabies, such as raccoons, thrive in many environments and maintain the rabies virus either at low levels endemic rabies or spread the virus quickly during rabies outbreaks epizootics.

Humans can receive pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis PEP vaccines, while dogs and cats typically receive rabies vaccines annually or every three years. Rabies vaccination of livestock occurs in areas with a high incidence of wildlife rabies or during rabies outbreaks.

Since , the U. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services WS program has been working cooperatively with local, State, and Federal governments, universities, and other partners to reduce rabies in wildlife.

Oral rabies vaccination ORV bait is distributed to wildlife in targeted areas.