Rabies vaccine bait distribution starts Tuesday

Hillsborough County, Florida - Starting Tuesday, authorities will again distribute the Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) to create a rabies-free zone through Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. The vaccine is packaged inside small cubes of fish-meal and eaten by raccoons. The cubes or baits will not harm raccoons or other animals but may cause an upset stomach if ingested by pets.

Raccoon rabies is a virus that attacks the central nervous system in mammals. Symptoms include unusual behavior - both calm and aggressive - as well as inability to eat or drink. Seizures, circling, balance problems, coma and death follow. Human exposure can be successfully treated with medical attention following a bite. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 90% of cases are in wildlife such as raccoons.

Over the next several days, residents may notice municipal vehicles placing the baits in wooded areas and local neighborhoods. Citizens are asked to keep pets inside so as not to disturb the vaccination effort. If a bait packet is discovered broken or misplaced, handle with gloves, paper towels or plastic bags due to the strong odor. Dispose of exposed bait immediately. In case of skin contact, wash immediately with soap and water.

Note: pet owners should not consider substituting the bait vaccine for veterinary rabies shots.

The rabies vaccine bait distribution is set to run from Tuesday, January 29 through February 8.