The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) in certain areas of Alabama from October 1-20. This initiative is part of a long-standing program to combat raccoon rabies and minimize the potential public health hazards caused by rabies encounters.
In urban areas like the Birmingham metropolitan area, vaccine packets are distributed manually from trucks that line the streets. To reach more densely forested areas that are harder to access, low-flying airplanes and helicopters are often employed to drop baits. In rural regions with extensive wooded lands, airplanes will be utilized for the vaccination effort.
Personnel will be distributing around 34,200 ORV baits in the Birmingham Metro Area and surrounding communities within the bait zone from October 1 to October 6, 2024. These ORV baits, which will be distributed by vehicles, consist of square blocks made of fishmeal and fish oil for hand baiting the urban/suburban areas. The vaccine is enclosed in a plastic packet within the hollow center of the block.
Drop zones have been identified in several counties, including Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa.
The rabies vaccine packets are designed with a sachet or plastic pack that contains the vaccine. To entice raccoons, the outer shell of the packet is coated with fishmeal or dog meal. Raccoons are able to receive the vaccine by opening the packet with their teeth, which exposes their gums to the vaccine.
Animal exposures are a common occurrence, but the Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) does not pose any risk of rabies to humans or animals if they come into contact with it. Animals may experience mild digestive upset as a reaction, but these reactions are seldom severe. If you come across an ORV bait, it is recommended to leave it undisturbed so that wildlife can locate it. However, if the bait is intact and easily accessible, it can be thrown deeper into the woods or brush, increasing the chances of a wild animal finding it.
-
- Handle it with gloves AND
- Place it in an area where a raccoon may find it OR
- Dispose of it in the trash.
Skin reactions can sometimes occur in humans when they come into direct contact with the vaccine. To prevent this, it is advised to avoid touching the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes with the vaccine. In case of accidental exposure, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap. If more severe reactions take place, there is a telephone number provided on the vaccine packet that can be called for additional information.
