By ground and by air, the bi-annual rabies vaccine drop is underway this week in Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts. 

The state’s Rabies Task Force is distributing about 80,000 oral rabies vaccine baits by hand and by helicopter throughout Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Barnstable, Plymouth, Wareham, Carver, Kingston, Middleboro, Rochester, Marion, and Lakeville.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Biologist Brian Bjorklund said that the goal for the bait release is to eradicate rabies in this area by having wildlife find and eat the vaccines. 

He said the Cape had been rabies-free for over 8 years until May 2021 when a case was detected in the mid-Cape area.

“We’re pretty much back where we were prior to that one case,” Bjorklund said, adding that they believe the rabies case was from a relocated raccoon.  “Both the raccoon’s DNA and the rabies virus DNA were from Plymouth County and that directly points to a re-location event.” 

Homeowners who find any of the baits in their yards should remove them while wearing gloves. If a pet eats one, they are not toxic to animals, although officials say it may cause an upset stomach.

This edible bait is about the size of a matchbox. To make the bait attractive to wildlife, it’s sprinkled with a fishmeal coating.

Officials remind residents they cannot get rabies from the vaccines and that any bait they come across outside their yards should be left undisturbed if possible.

RABIES BAIT DISTRIBUTION Begins on September 13 via helicopter and September 17 via ground vehicles

Information for Dog Owners

Beginning next week, oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits for wildlife will be distributed throughout southern Plymouth County and Mainland Barnstable County. Once that has been completed, operations will be shifted to the Upper-, Mid-, and Lower-Cape in efforts to prevent the spread of terrestrial rabies across the Cape once again.

Follow Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force for updates!

On the map below, the orange area will be treated with two black and red USDA helicopters beginning Monday, September 13. The exact finish date is weather dependent. Due to areas of high human density, the portion noted in yellow will be treated by vehicles and foot beginning Friday, September 17. Bait stations in selected areas will be filled this coming Monday as well. The ground-based distribution is expected to last between 1 and 2 weeks. During this time frame, you will see two low-flying helicopters, as well as several town, county, and federal vehicles, distributing baits.We ask that you keep your dogs on leash, obeying your town’s leash laws. While the baits are generally safe for your pets, the fishmeal coating may cause your pet to experience an upset stomach. Additionally, every bait that a dog consumes is one that we consider a lost dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.This expanded campaign is in response to the first case of terrestrial rabies on the Cape in over 8 years. In May, a raccoon from Hyannis tested positive for the virus.

RABIES BAIT DISTRIBUTION JULY 12-23 via helicopter and ground vehicles

Information for Dog Owners

Beginning the week of July 12, 2021, oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits for wildlife will be distributed throughout the Upper, Mid, & Lower-Cape in efforts to prevent the spread of terrestrial rabies across the Cape.

The area shaded in Gray on this map will not receive baits as it was recently treated in May. The orange area will be treated with two black and red USDA helicopters from Tuesday (7/13) through Friday (7/16), weather pending. 

Due to areas of high human density, the portion noted in yellow will be treated by vehicles and foot beginning Monday July 12th. The ground-based distribution is expected to last between 1 and 2 weeks.

During this time frame, you will see two low-flying helicopters, as well as several town, county, and federal vehicles, distributing baits.

We ask that you keep your dogs on leash, obeying your town’s leash laws. While the baits are generally safe for your pets, the fishmeal coating may cause your pet to experience an upset stomach. Additionally, every bait that a dog consumes is one that we consider a lost dose that could have gone to an unvaccinated raccoon.

This campaign is in response to the first case of terrestrial rabies on the Cape in over 8 years. In May, a raccoon located in Hyannis tested positive for the virus. More information HERE