Efforts to Curb Rabies in North Carolina: Oral Vaccine Distribution Set for October
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is taking proactive measures to control rabies spread among local wildlife. This October, the focus will be on distributing oral rabies vaccines targeting the raccoon population in western North Carolina.
The oral rabies vaccination initiative, which dates back to the 1990s, seeks to halt the westward spread of raccoon rabies beyond the Appalachian Mountains. Starting October 16, 2025, planes will drop vaccine-laden baits across multiple counties, including Ashe, Avery, and Buncombe, among others. Additionally, hand-distribution of baits will occur in the Asheville region from October 14 to 16.
Emily Herring, NCDHHS Public Health Veterinarian, emphasizes the importance of pet vaccination and avoiding wildlife contact, stating, “The best way to prevent rabies is to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure pets are vaccinated against rabies. Through this annual oral rabies vaccine distribution and the vigilance of pet owners, we can work to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.”
The vaccine baits, which come as sachets or plastic packets, are designed to immunize raccoons upon consumption. These baits are coated with fishmeal or embedded within hard fishmeal-polymer blocks to entice the animals. When a raccoon bites into the bait, the packet releases the vaccine into its mouth, initiating an immune response that generates protective antibodies.
While the baits pose no threat to humans, pets, or other wildlife, the USDA Wildlife Services advises precautions if baits are found:
- If discovered on a lawn or similar area, relocate the bait to denser cover, ensuring raccoons can find it and pets are less likely to.
- Use gloves or a towel when handling baits due to their strong fishmeal scent.
- Ingesting baits won’t harm pets, though consuming multiple baits might upset their stomachs temporarily.
- Avoid removing a bait from a pet’s mouth to prevent bites.
- Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water if exposure to a ruptured vaccine packet is suspected.
- Instruct children to avoid baits. If ingestion occurs, contact local health authorities or the number on the bait (1-877-722-6725). To date, no human ingestion incidents have been reported.
- Dispose of broken baits using gloves, placing them in regular trash bins. If contact with the liquid vaccine occurs, wash hands immediately and seek guidance from the number on the bait or local health department.
This initiative coincides with World Rabies Day, observed on September 28, which aims to spread awareness about rabies prevention. In North Carolina, rabies is frequently detected in wildlife, posing risks to both humans and domestic animals. In 2024, over 4,000 animals underwent rabies testing at the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health, with about 6% yielding positive results. Raccoons, the main rabies reservoir in the state, accounted for the most positive cases. Rabies, once symptomatic, is nearly always fatal in mammals, including humans. Thus, vaccinating animals is crucial in curbing the disease’s spread.
While the oral rabies vaccine is safe for domestic animals like dogs and cats, its application is restricted to wildlife. Pet owners are encouraged to ensure their animals receive routine rabies vaccinations by a veterinarian, as mandated by North Carolina law, which requires pets to be vaccinated by four months of age.
The completion of the vaccine distribution is anticipated by the end of October, although weather and other factors may affect the timeline. Post-distribution, Wildlife Services will continue to track rabies-positive cases and monitor raccoon populations.
For more information on the National Rabies Management Program, visit the USDA website. Further details on the oral rabies vaccine program are available on the NCDHHS Division of Public Health webpage.
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