If you happen to witness individuals tossing small packets from a car into yards located in the eastern portion of Douglas County this week, there’s a good chance it’s the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at work.
Beginning on Wednesday, the USDA is initiating a campaign to distribute 18,000 oral raccoon rabies vaccines across a 62-square-mile area, primarily situated to the east of Interstate 680. These vaccines will be dispersed both on foot and from vehicles.
The primary objective of this effort is to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies to regions far beyond its current presence, thus mitigating its potential establishment in new areas.
Douglas County Epidemiology Chief Justin Frederick has emphasized the potential financial consequences, stating, “If we cannot contain the spread of the raccoon rabies variant, it is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars in human exposures over the next five years.”
The oral vaccines are packaged in ketchup packet-sized containers and carry a fishy odor due to their fish meal coating. While they may attract more than just raccoons, county officials assure the public that they are safe for pets. In fact, they advise against attempting to prevent your dog from consuming them to avoid potential bites. If you happen
Residents of Omaha are kindly requested not to relocate these packets unless it’s to a location like a driveway or sidewalk, where raccoons are less likely to be enticed. If you do need to move a packet, officials recommend using gloves or a protective barrier, such as a bag or paper towel, and then thoroughly washing your hands.
It’s worth noting that the liquid vaccine has been linked to skin rashes in two instances involving immunocompromised individuals with hand cuts. However, this has occurred out of 250 million packets distributed, according to Frederick.
The oral rabies vaccine is typically distributed annually by Wildlife Services to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies outside the eastern regions of the Appalachian Mountains, as outlined by the Douglas County Health Department.
For additional information, inquiries, requests not to have your property baited, or reports of any adverse effects, you can contact the Douglas County Health Department through their information line at (402) 444-3400. They are available to assist with your questions and concerns.