Oral Rabies Vaccine Drop – North Carolina

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services and the North Carolina Department of Health will begin distributing oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits starting around April 13, 2026, across western NC counties, including Clay.

Purpose: To create a barrier of immune wild animals to prevent the spread of rabies, ultimately protecting the publics health and domestic animals.

 Baits will be distributed by aircraft and ground teams and have been safely used in NC since 2005.

 What to know:

• Baits are small packets coated in fishmeal to attract raccoons

• Once eaten, they safely vaccinate the animal against rabies

• This program helps create a barrier to stop the disease from spreading

 If you find a bait:

• Leave it where it is (or move it to a wooded area using gloves)

• Wash hands after contact

• If broken, bag it and throw it away

This vaccine has been shown to be safe in over 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Eating a large number of baits may cause a temporarily upset stomach in your pet but does not pose a long-term health risk.

 Report unusual animal behavior to local animal control or Wildlife Services at 1-866-4-USDA-WS