From Oct. 5-22, North Carolina health authorities and partners will be distributing around 600,000 oral rabies vaccines across Western N.C.
The oral rabies vaccination program was originally established in the 1990s and helps prevent the raccoon rabies epizootic from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains, where raccoon rabies does not exist.
Beginning Oct. 5-9, baits will be distributed by hand in the Asheville area in a partnership between the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, before further baits are distributed across larger areas by helicopter and plane.
"The best way to prevent rabies is to ensure pets and mammals that are intended to be in public contact are vaccinated," said veterinarian
Dr. Carl Williams in an N.C. DHHS release. "Vaccinating the animals in and around our home adds another layer of protection against the spread of this deadly disease."
Here's what to know about the vaccines, rabies in the state and more.
What is an oral rabies vaccine?
Oral rabies vaccines distributed by the N.C. DHHS and USDA consist of a sachet or plastic packet containing an oral vaccine that prevents rabies in animals that consume the contents of the packets.
In order to attract raccoons, the packets are sprinkled or encased in fishmeal. When a raccoon bites into the bait, the vaccine packet is punctured, entering the animal's mouth and activating its immune system to produce antibodies that prevent the animal from becoming infected with rabies.
Why are oral rabies vaccines being distributed in North Carolina?
The distribution of oral rabies vaccines is not connected to an outbreak of any kind; in fact, the program aims to prevent rabies in raccoons from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains where it does not currently exist.
Where are oral rabies vaccines being distributed in North Carolina?
Roughly 600,000 oral rabies vaccines will be distributed by hand, helicopter and airplane in Western N.C., including in the greater Asheville, Burnsville, Mars Hill and Waynesville areas, as well as throughout Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey counties.
Can oral rabies vaccines harm dogs? Cats?
The N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission release noted that intact baits will not harm people, pets or wildlife. It added that, while eating baits won't harm your pet, consuming several might temporarily upset the pet's stomach. The N.C. DHHS has never received a report of a human ingesting a bait packet; if a bait is ingested by a human, the release suggested contacting your local health department or calling the phone number listed on the bait.
If you or your pet encounters a bait, the following steps were suggested by the USDA:
- Leave the bait where you found it unless it is in an area unlikely to attract raccoons, such as a lawn or driveway; in this case, move the bait to an area of thicker cover
- Wear gloves or use a towel to pick up bait; they are not harmful to touch, but have a strong smell
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if there is any chance the vaccine packet has ruptured
- Broken or ruptured baits are ineffective and should be disposed of by using gloves to place the bait in a bag and then into a regular trash bin
North Carolina rabies cases
Most recent complete data on positive rabies tests in N.C. from the state department of health was collected in 2018, when 303 total cases were recorded. This included 142 cases of rabies in raccoons. In 2017, 254 cases were recorded, 251 in 2016, 339 in 2015, and 352 in 2014. Further numbers are available on the N.C. DHHS website.
As for cases of rabies in humans, a recent N.C. DHHS statement noted that such infections are "extremely rare" in the U.S. No cases of rabies in humans have been reported in the Tar Heel State since 2011.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Oral rabies vaccines dropped in Western NC to deter raccoon rabies
