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![]() Brienne German (301) 734-7253 USDA DISTRIBUTES ORAL RABIES VACCINE IN TWO STATES In cooperation with state departments of agriculture, health and key agencies, baits containing oral rabies vaccine will be distributed over rural areas using low-flying twin-engine aircraft. Hand baiting will occur in populated regions using ground-based vehicles. The projected two-week program will target raccoons and distribute approximately 1.4 million baits covering roughly 6,400 total square miles in two states. Since 1997, APHIS has been working to establish a rabies-free barrier in the eastern United States where the raccoon variant of rabies threatens wildlife populations and pets, as well as public health and safety. APHIS has coordinated a cooperative effort in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia. Baits are coated with a fishmeal attractant and may be packaged in one-inch square cubes or two-inch plastic sachets. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from coming into contact with the baits but are asked to leave the baits undisturbed should they encounter them. This vaccine has been shown to be safe in more than 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Dogs that consume large numbers of baits might experience an upset stomach, but there are no long-term health risks. Most sightings of rabid raccoons occur during the spring and summer when people are more likely to come into contact with wildlife. Raccoon rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system in mammals. Symptoms include unusual, aggressive or calm and “friendly” behavior, an inability to eat or drink, balance problems, circling, seizures, coma and finally death. Human exposures can be successfully treated, if treatment is sought immediately following a bite. For additional information concerning the raccoon oral rabies vaccine program, please visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/rabies.shtml or call USDA’s Wildlife Services toll free at 1–866–4–USDA–WS (1–866–487–3297). # Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet. Go to the APHIS news release page at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom. Also, anyone with an e-mail address can sign up to receive APHIS press releases automatically. Send an e-mail message to lyris@mdrdlyriss10.aphis.usda.gov and leave the subject blank. In the message, type
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