ALBAMA (WRBL) — The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin distributing oral rabies vaccines throughout counties in the northeastern part of the state in October.
Vaccine bait packets will be distributed by vehicle in the Birmingham metropolitan area and surrounding areas from Oct. 1 to Oct. 6, according to DAPH. Vaccine packets will be distributed along trees in urban areas and by plane in rural areas. Used to drop packets across wooded areas.
The following counties have been identified by ADPH as having drop zones:
bib
blunt
calhoun
cherokee
chilton
Coosa
cullman
dekalb
Etowah
jackson
jefferson
madison
marshall
morgan
st clair
shelby
talladega
tuscaloosa
Vaccine bait packets contain a plastic bag containing the vaccine. The outer shell is also coated with fish meal or dog meal, which is designed to attract raccoons.
ADPH advises anyone who finds these bait packets to leave them where wildlife can find them. ADPH states that skin reactions can also occur in humans and it is best to avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dee W. Jones says if there is any confusion about what the packet is, the phone number listed on the packet is his office phone number.
“While we understand that citizens and owners may be concerned if ORV packets are found in unintended locations or if there is unintended exposure, it is important that people keep the big picture in mind. We hope that it will actually reduce the risk of rabies exposure” by vaccinating raccoons in Alabama. ” Jones said.
However, if the bait packet is found outdoors and intact, ADPH recommends moving it deeper into the forest by doing the following:
If it’s broken or in an area with no tree line, APDHS says to throw it away.
“Vaccine packaging has been proven to be very safe by historical data collected from accidental exposures,” Jones said.
Jones says he believes the rabies vaccination program will benefit public health and wildlife welfare.
For more information about the use of federal ORVs in Alabama, contact USDA at 866-487-3291. For more information about exposure to rabies, animal or human exposure to ORVs, call ADPH at 800-338-8374.
Additional information is also available on the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.
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