Residents may notice small bait packages being distributed throughout Western North Carolina this fall, as part of an annual effort to help prevent the spread of rabies among wildlife. Each year, wildlife officials distribute oral rabies vaccine baits throughout parts of the region. The program is designed primarily to vaccinate wild raccoons and help reduce the spread of rabies among wildlife populations.
The small baits contain an oral rabies vaccine and are designed to attract raccoons. When an animal eats the bait, the vaccine helps stimulate an immune response against rabies. Baits may be distributed by hand, helicopter, and aircraft across various areas of Western North Carolina. Residents are asked to leave the baits undisturbed whenever possible and to keep children and pets from handling or eating them.
While the vaccine drops target wildlife, officials continue to remind residents to make sure dogs, cats and other household pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations and to avoid approaching or handling wild animals
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'Rabies vaccine bait drops planned this week in western North Carolina by USDA' article by WLOS