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Oral Rabies Vaccine Program
Preventing the Spread of Rabies in Broward County
Information about an oral vaccine to immunize wildlife against rabies
The first line of defense against human infection of rabies is to have your dog and cat vaccinated against rabies every year.
About the Oral Rabies Vaccine Program (ORVP)
The ORVP is an innovative program that uses an oral rabies vaccine to control rabies in wildlife. The goal of the five-year program is to vaccinate raccoons in Broward County. This will eliminate or greatly reduce the spread of rabies from wild animal to wild animal and from wild animal to a pet and a human.
Wildlife populations serve as a reservoir for the rabies virus. This presents a threat to people when they have contact, directly or indirectly through their pets, with infected wildlife. In Broward County, the primary rabies threat is from raccoons.
This is part of a coordinated effort that includes an extensive rabies vaccination program for pets and comprehensive public education.
 What Is the Vaccine?
The Raboral V-RG oral rabies vaccine bait measures 1 ¼ inch x 1 ¼ inch x ¾ inch. The vaccine is sealed in a tough polymer pouch designed to break when bitten, releasing an immunizing dose into the animal’s mouth. The pouch is placed into the hollow center of a bait block made of fish meal.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has licensed the vaccine for use by state and federal officials in government sponsored rabies control programs. Testing has proven the vaccine safe when administered to 59 species of mammals and birds. Field safety studies have proven it has no significant impact on the environment.
Howand where will the baits be distributed?
The employees from several county government agencies will distribute the baits by hand throughout the county. A helicopter will also drop the baits in the sparsely populated areas of the county.
Baiting Areas
- Wooded areas
- Swamps and wetlands
- Banks of streams, canals, and ditches
- Accessible trash cans and dumpsters
- Behind restaurants and groceries
- Alleys behind buildings and side streets
- Hollow trees
- Railroad tracks with brush along side
Non-Baiting Areas
- Open grassy areas
- Driveways and parking lots
- Manicured front and back lawns
- Backyards
- Single tree or bush in an open field or yard
- Manicured parks or playgrounds
- Schools
- Heavy industrial or paved areas
When?
The baiting will take place in March this year. It will take place in February and March every year through 2009.
How are the wildlife vaccinated?
An animal is vaccinated by eating the bait containing the vaccine. The animal will develop an immunity to rabies in two to three weeks. This immunity will protect the animal if it is exposed to another infected animal. If enough wild animals are vaccinated, the disease will be controlled.
Can the vaccine cause rabies?
It is not possible for humans or animals to get rabies from the vaccine even if it is eaten.
What if my cat or dog eats a bait?
The bait is not harmful to pets (and livestock). Eating a lot of baits may cause vomiting or diarrhea from the rich fish meal not from the vaccine. Do not risk a bite by taking the bait away from your pet.
Is the bait or vaccine harmful to people?
The bait is made of fish meal, an ingredient in animal feed so it’s not harmful to touch an intact bait.
The vaccine (a red liquid) inside the pouch contains the rabies vaccine. People with eczema and weakened immune systems, especially those undergoing chemotherapy or who have HIV/AIDS, should avoid contact with the liquid vaccine contained in the bait. In the unlikely event that you contact the liquid vaccine, wash the affected area. If you are immune-compromised, contact the County Health Department at 954-762-3895 or 954-467-4806. You will be provided additional information on vaccine safety or be put in contact with a health professional.
What if my child touches the bait?
The bait will not harm your child, but the bait’s smell may be repulsive. In the unlikely event that a child bites the pouch and eats the vaccine, please contact the County Health Department.
What if I find a bait near my home?
Leave it alone if it is intact in an area where pets or children don’t play. However, if the bait is in the open or where pets and children play, protect your hands by wearing gloves or use a paper towel or plastic bag and toss it into a wooded area or location with ground cover.
If the bait is broken open or damaged, wear gloves, use a paper towel or plastic bag before picking it up. Wrap the damaged bait in plastic and throw it in the garbage.
Can I purchase the bait?
No. The bait is only available for trained personnel to use in an approved program.
Can I use this oral vaccine to vaccinate my dog or cat against rabies?
No, this vaccine is approved only for use in wildlife. A veterinarian should vaccinate your cat and dog every year (as required by Broward County law). Pet vaccination is essential to protect your pet against rabies and the first line of defense against human infection.
Rabies: Five ways to protect yourself, pets, and your family
- Have a veterinarian vaccinate your dogs and cats every year and purchase a Broward County animal license tag. Keep pets away from wildlife especially at night when wildlife is most active.
- Do not feed or touch wild animals. Teach your children to leave wildlife alone. Take special care to stay away from animal that seem to be ill or acting strangely. Rabid animals do not always appear ill or vicious.
- Never leave pet food outside as this attracts wildlife. Always feed your pets indoors.
- Tightly close garbage cans and Dumpsters. Open trash attracts wild animals.
- If an animal bites or scratches you, immediately clean the wound with soap and water and then seek medical attention. Report the bite to Animal Care and Regulation at 954-359-1313 ext. 231.
How can I help?
The bait is intended for wild animals, especially raccoons. To prevent pets from eating the baits, keep them indoors or on leashes when they are outside. This will give the wild animals a chance to eat the baits.
Have a veterinarian vaccinate your cat or dog with the rabies vaccine once a year and purchase a county license tag. The license tag proves your pet received the rabies vaccination and provides identification in case the pet is lost.
Important reminders
- Know what the bait looks like.
- Keep pets from eating the baits by supervising them when they are outside.
- Do not attempt to take the bait away from your pet. You may be bitten.
- You can pick up baits wearing gloves, with a plastic bag, or a paper towel.
- Do not handle partially eaten or damaged bait with bare hands.
- Place damages baits in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash.
- If you touch the bait or the liquid vaccine (a red fluid inside the bait) wash your hands or exposed skin with soap and water.
Participating organizations
The Broward County Oral Rabies Vaccine Program is a cooperative effort among many governmental agencies. At the local level, the Broward County Commission’s Animal Care and Regulation Division is leading this effort with the assistance of other county agencies. State agencies that make up the program include: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, State Department of Health Broward County Health Department, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The USDA is participating at the federal level.
For additionalinformation, please call the Rabies Prevention Hotline ( Broward County Call Center) at 954-831-4000.
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