Rabies Vaccination Program Underway in Western Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An annual program that
helps control rabies in wild animals is underway in western Pennsylvania,
Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff said today.
The oral rabies vaccination baiting program covers all or parts of
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Fayette, Greene,
Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
"Controlling the spread of rabies in wild animals is essential to human
and domestic animal health," said Wolff. "The vaccination program has been an
effective tool in minimizing the spread of rabies and it has reduced the
number of reported cases by nearly 60 percent over the past five years."
Wildlife rabies accounts for more than 90 percent of the reported rabies
cases in the United States, with raccoons accounting for more than half of
this total. Although the primary focus is to vaccinate raccoons, other
animals -- including dogs, cats, cattle, horses, skunks and foxes -- may also
benefit from the program due to reduced exposure to raccoons infected with the
rabies virus.
Since July, trained employees have spread bait sachets by hand in densely
populated areas. On Aug. 30, low-flying aircraft began dropping sachets in
sparsely populated areas. The vaccine sachet is coated or placed inside
fishmeal bait. When the raccoon punctures the sealed plastic package, the
pink-colored vaccine is released into its mouth.
The vaccine contains only a small, non-infective portion of the rabies
virus. The bait does not pose an immediate health risk to humans or pets, but
anyone finding the bait should avoid handling it unless it is found where
children or pets play. Bait can be moved or disposed of with gloves.
Six agencies are partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
Wildlife Services for this program, including the state departments of
Agriculture and Health, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Erie County Health
Department, Allegheny Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
For more information about the oral rabies vaccination baiting program,
contact one of the following agencies, or visit
http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us.
USDA Wildlife Services
1-866-487-3297

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
717-783-9550

Pennsylvania Department of Health Information Line
1-877-PA-HEALTH

Erie County Department of Health
814-451-6700

Allegheny County Department of Health
412-687-2243

CONTACT:
Nicole L. C. Bucher
(717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Nicole L. C. Bucher of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture,
+1-717-787-5085