Published: September 26, 2008 01:47 pm            

Whitfield County works with USDA to prevent raccoon rabies

Submitted by Whitfield County government



Whitfield County, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is working to distribute approximately 30,000 oral rabies vaccination baits for raccoons in the northwestern portion of the county. The baiting program, administered by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services program, will begin on or about Friday.

Vaccine packets placed inside fishmeal blocks or coated with fishmeal will be distributed throughout five counties in northwestern Georgia targeting portions of Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Walker and Whitfield. This program is part of a multi-state effort to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies by creating a zone of vaccinated raccoons.

The zone, which is approximately 30 miles wide, covers 160 square miles in Whitfield County and 1,124 square miles in Georgia. Bait distribution will be completed by hand baiting from vehicles in Dalton and from specially equipped fixed wing aircraft in rural areas. This is the sixth year Georgia has participated in baiting to slow and possibly halt the westward movement of raccoon rabies.

Although the vaccine products are safe, USDA Wildlife Services has asked the public:

• Do not attempt removal of the ORV bait from your pet’s mouth, as you could be bitten. Eating these baits will not harm your pet.

• Wear gloves or use a towel when you pick up bait. Although there is no harm in touching undamaged baits, they have a strong fishmeal smell. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water if there is any chance that the vaccine sachet has been ruptured.

• If you or your pet finds bait, confine your pet and look for other baits in the area. Toss baits into a wooded area. These baits should be removed from where your pet could easily eat them. Consuming several baits may cause your pet’s stomach to become upset.

• Instruct children to leave baits alone.

There is a warning label on each bait advising people not to touch the bait. The warning also contains the rabies information line telephone number.

As a reminder to help prevent exposure to animals that can carry rabies, please enjoy wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats from a distance and keep pets up to date on rabies vaccination.

For more information concerning rabies prevention or the oral rabies vaccine program, please call the USDA Wildlife Services toll-free rabies line at 1-866-487-3297. You may also find rabies information on the USDA Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/oral_rabies/index.shtml.

        

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