Bait Drop Frequently Asked Questions
WInformation Regarding the Oral Rabies Vaccine Bait Drop
What is the oral rabies vaccine bait drop?
The West Virginia Oral Rabies Vaccination Project conducts a bait dr
Just as children are vaccinated against measles or mumps, raccoons can be vaccinated against rabies.
Who is conducting the bait drop?
The bait drop is a cooperative effort between USDA-AP
Division of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
How is a raccoon vaccinated?
A raccoon is vaccinated by eating bait containing t
The baits will be dispersed along a wide corridor through thenorthern panhandle to the southern coalfields. The 26 i
Monongalia, Nicholas, Ohio, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wetzel, and
Wyoming.
How can I help with the bait drop?
You may help by being aware of what the baits look like
owners may help by keeping all dogs and cats inside or o
Baits are in two forms. One looks like a ketchup pcovered with a fine brown-colored fis
shell is a smaller version of a ketchup package which contains the vaccineThe vaccine appears as a red to purple liquid.
Is
The vaccine is not harmful to wild animfollowing information is important:
• Be aware of what the bait looks like.
•
• Keep dogs and cats inside or on leash
• Do not attempt to take bait away from your pe
• If you touch the bait or the liquid vaccine inside the bait (a red fluid), thoroughly wash yoexposed skin with soap and water.
Are gloves required to handle the bait, or will I be harmed if I
It is not harmful to touch intact bait; however, the bait does have a strong
gloves when handling it. A paper towel may also be used. Wa
What if I find bait near my home?
Leave it alone, or if it is intact and out in the open, toss
What if my dog or cat eats bait?
The bait is not harmful to pets or livestock. Do not tryseveral baits were consumed by a dog or cat an upse
What if my child eats or has contact with bait?
The bait has a strong fish odor and is usually unappealing to children. It is novaccine. People with certain medical conditions, such as an immunodeficienc
local infection from vaccinia if the vaccine (red liquid) gets into an open wound. Using soap and water to
wash any skin area exposed to the vaccine can prevent this. In the unlikely event that a child bites the bait
or the actual vaccine packet, contact the West Virginia ORV Project at 1-800-423-1271.
If my child or pet eats the vaccine, will either of them ge
No. It is not possible to get rabies from the vaccine. The vaccine does not contain the rabies virus, only a
single gene from that virus.
