USDA to Distribute Oral Rabies Vaccine for Wildlife in Northern Maine

Annual bait distribution aims to reduce spread of disease among raccoons

AUGUSTA-- In cooperation with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), officials from U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Wildlife Services will begin their annual raccoon rabies baiting program next week. Crews will spread the baits by air and ground over two distribution areas in northern Maine. This event is part of ongoing rabies control efforts to reduce the spread of raccoon rabies in Maine. Wildlife Services expanded the distribution zones for 2024 in response to two rabid raccoons detected near the New Brunswick, Canada border earlier this year.

Wildlife Services will distribute:

  • More than 50,400 oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits in northwestern Maine from August 6 through August 11, in northern Franklin and Somerset counties. The northwestern distribution area includes places such as Eustis, Stratton, and following north along Route 27.
  • Approximately 384,000 ORV baits across northeastern Maine from August 11 through August 16, in portions of Aroostook and Penobscot counties. The northeastern distribution area includes places such as Easton, Houlton, Mars Hill, and Patten.

The ORV baits come in two forms. The bait type used in the northwestern area is a blister pack with a sweet, waxy coating. The bait type used in the northeastern area is a fishmeal-coated cube or sachet about one to two inches in size. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits but should not touch or move them. Studies show that both vaccine bait types have proven safe in many species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. While dogs may get an upset stomach if they eat a lot of baits, there are no known long-term health risks. If a person has skin contact with the baits, they should rinse the area affected with warm water and soap.

Wildlife Services will spread the baits by airplanes in rural, wooded areas. In more populated areas such as Houlton, Eustis, and Stratton, crews will spread baits from vehicles.

Rabies is a virus that infects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It spreads mainly through a bite from an infected animal. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. Timely post-exposure treatment can prevent disease in people. Approximately 90 percent of reported animal rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wildlife. As of July 25, 2024, 30 animals tested positive for rabies this year in nine Maine counties. These animals include bats, raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, and foxes.

To help protect yourself and your pet against rabies:

  • Keep your pet's rabies vaccination up to date.
  • Feed pets indoors.
  • Keep garbage cans or other sources of food tightly secured.
  • Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals. Be cautious of stray dogs and cats.
  • Do not move wildlife. This can spread rabies into new areas.
  • Wash bite or scratch wounds with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Who to contact:

  • If an animal bites or scratches you, contact your health care provider.
  • If an animal bites or scratches your pet, contact your veterinarian.
  • To report a dead or suspicious-acting animal in northern Maine, contact Wildlife Services. In other parts of the state, contact the Maine Warden Service or your local Animal Control Officer if a Warden is not available.
  • Maine CDC is also available to answer questions.

Rabies virus poses a threat to human and animal health. Since 2003, Wildlife Services has worked to eliminate raccoon rabies from northern Maine. Wildlife Services also collaborates with Canadian officials in New Brunswick and Quebec to reduce the presence of rabies across Maine and Canada. As part of the Wildlife Services' National Rabies Management Program, the ORV distribution program in Maine is part of a larger effort to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies. This effort creates a barrier along the Appalachian Mountains from the Canadian border to Alabama.

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Bait types (top right to bottom left): blister pack, fishmeal-coated cube, fishmeal-coated sachet.

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