Raccoon Oral Rabies Vaccination Project
The Department of Health distributes two styles of bait. One looks like a ketchup packet, and the other looks like a small brick.
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health, along with Wildlife Services of the United States Department of Agriculture, conducted its annual Raccoon Oral Rabies Vaccine Project September 7 - 30, 2011. The goal of the project is to immunize thousands of wild raccoons by placing baits containing rabies vaccine throughout Anne Arundel County. In 2011, approximately 70,000 baits were spread throughout Anne Arundel County. Immunizing the raccoon population helps to reduce the number of rabid animals and the human and pet exposures to rabies.
In 2010, Anne Arundel County reported 14 cases of terrestrial (ground dwelling) animal rabies. This is considerably less than the 71 reported in 1998 and 96 in 1997. This decrease is partly due to the success of the Raccoon Oral Rabies Vaccination Project on the Annapolis Peninsula, which began in October 1998. The project added the Broadneck Peninsula in 2001, and it expanded to cover the entire County in 2003.
The Public Health Concern
Rabies is a significant public health threat since rabid animals can come in contact with people and their pets. Rabies is a fatal viral infection. While pets can be vaccinated against rabies, people exposed to rabies must undergo a costly series of shots to protect themselves from the disease.
In 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture licensed a safe vaccine for use with raccoons. This vaccine has been used successfully in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and in more than 10 other states to control raccoon rabies.
Vaccine Distribution Plan
There are two bait versions that are distributed. One (made of fishmeal and polymers) looks like a small brown brick. It is approximately 0.75 inch thick by 1.25 inches square and contains a small plastic bag of the liquid rabies vaccine, Raboral V-RG. The raccoon must bite into the bag to be vaccinated. The second is similar to a condiment packet (such as ketchup), which has been coated with a waxy fishmeal attractant for raccoons. Inside the packet is the liquid rabies vaccine. The raccoon must bite into the packet to be vaccinated.
Baits are placed by hand in likely raccoon habitats in Anne Arundel County neighborhoods. The bait teams wear orange or green Department of Health T-shirts and travel in marked County vehicles. In addition, the Anne Arundel County Police helicopter distributes baits in less populated areas, sometimes flying at low altitudes during the distribution.
The Vaccine
Raboral V-RG, a genetically engineered vaccine, contains a live vaccinia virus into which a small portion of the rabies virus has been inserted. It cannot cause rabies. It has been proven effective in immunizing raccoons and coyotes, and it has been shown to cause no harmful effects in more than 50 different species of birds and mammals, including dogs and cats.
From a human safety standpoint, Raboral-VRG is felt to represent a low risk. Millions of doses have been distributed in the U.S., Canada and Europe with only two reported cases of human infection due to vaccine contact. Both individuals made a full recovery. Although complications are rare, it is recommended that people younger than 18 years old or pregnant or who have an immunodeficiency or a chronic skin condition avoid handling the bait. It is also recommended that care be taken in removing bait from a pet’s mouth.
Questions and Answers
What if I find a bait near my home?
Leave it alone. If you don't want the bait near your home, use gloves or put a plastic bag over your hands to pick it up and toss it into the woods. Then, wash your hands. Bare hand contact with the bait alone is not a concern; however it does have a strong fish odor, so hand washing is still recommended.
What if my child picks up the bait?
If the packet containing the vaccine is not ruptured, wash your child's hands with plenty of soap and water to help get rid of the fishy odor.
What if my child tears the vaccine packet or eats the bait?
It is not possible to get rabies from the vaccine. The offensive odor usually discourages a child from eating the bait. However, in the unlikely event your child bites into the plastic packet containing the vaccine or otherwise has direct contact with the vaccine liquid, you should contact your child's physician and notify the Department of Health at 410-222-7168 for any follow-up action.
What if my dog, cat or ferret eats the bait?
The bait and vaccine are not harmful to animals, including dogs, cats, ferrets, livestock and wildlife. The bait may cause diarrhea or vomiting in dogs, cats or ferrets due to the high fat content of the bait.
What if my pet brings the bait into the house?
Placement of baits began on September 7 and was completed by September 30. During this period and for at least two additional weeks, it is recommended that pets be kept indoors or on leashes outside. This will allow enough time for raccoons to eat the bait. If your pet does find the bait, discard the bait in the trash. Wear rubber gloves or put a plastic bag over your hands when discarding. Wash your hands after handling the bait and report any contact with the vaccine liquid to the Department of Health at 410-222-7168.
Can this vaccine be used to vaccinate my dog or cat against rabies?
No, the vaccine is approved only for use in raccoons. You should have your dog, cat or ferret vaccinated by your veterinarian or at a public anti-rabies clinic offered by Anne Arundel County Animal Control. The law requires pets to be vaccinated against rabies.
Can I request that baits be placed on my property?
The 2011 deadline for requesting baits to be placed on your property was August 26.
Why is the project being carried out in the late summer and early fall?
This is a time when the baby raccoons are old enough to gather their own food; thus, there is the possibility of reaching the largest number of raccoons with the bait. Although raccoons do not hibernate, they are less active during cold weather.
After this project is carried out, do I still have to worry about rabies in the area?
Yes. The Department of Health cannot ensure that all raccoons are vaccinated. Raccoons or other animals with rabies could enter the area after the baiting; however, the incidence of rabies should be greatly reduced.
For more information, call the Bureau of Environmental Health, 410-222-7168.