USDA APHIS Wildlife Services to Conduct Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Bait Drop in North Carolina

 

PRESS RELEASE (03-19-2025)
MACON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH

March 19, 2025 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) Wildlife Services will conduct its annual Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) program in North Carolina to help control the spread of rabies in wildlife. The 2025 ORV baiting activities will occur from April 1-20, 2025, across multiple counties, with specific distribution methods based on location. ORV Baiting Schedule and Methods:

• Fixed-Wing Aircraft: Raboral V-RG coated sachets will be distributed in rural areas via aircraft between April 1-20, 2025 in Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, Macon, Clay, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Transylvania, Jackson, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, and Watauga counties. 

• Helicopter Distribution: Raboral V-RG fishmeal polymer baits will be dropped in urban areas of Asheville, Burnsville, Mars Hill, and Waynesville between April 9-11, 2025. 

• Ground Distribution: Hand baiting via ground vehicles will take place in Asheville city limits from April 3-8, 2025.

These baits contain an oral rabies vaccine designed to immunize raccoons and other wildlife against rabies, helping to reduce the risk of transmission to domestic animals and humans. Important Public Information:

• The vaccine baits are safe for pets and wildlife; however, pet owners should avoid contact with the baits if possible. 

• If a pet eats a bait, there is no cause for concern, but excessive consumption should be avoided. 

• If a bait is found, leave it undisturbed. If necessary, it can be moved to a wooded area using gloves or a plastic bag.

The ORV program is an essential part of rabies control efforts to protect public health and prevent the spread of the disease. Community members with questions, comments, or concerns about the program can contact Jennifer Germain at 828-349-2084.

For more information, please visit maconnc.org.

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Macon County Participates in Oral Rabies Vaccination Program

PRESS RELEASE (09-27-2021)

MACON PUBLIC HEALTH

Macon County Participates in Oral Rabies Vaccination Program

Macon County is part of the United States Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services’ and North Carolina Department of Health’s oral rabies vaccine bait program for raccoons, foxes and coyotes. This bait-drop vaccine program has been shown effective in reducing the number of rabid raccoons and other animals. In the past 10 months, Macon County has had 14 confirmed cases of animals with rabies, which is a large increase from previous years.

The Wildlife Services’ bait drop will occur in Macon County between October 4 – October 20, 2021 and will be delivered by airplane and ground vehicles across the county. The baits are plastic packets of oral vaccine coated with an oily, fish-scented substance to attract raccoons (photo attached). Once the packet is bitten, the raccoon ingests the vaccine and will develop antibodies against rabies.

The vaccine has been shown to be safe in over 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. If your dog or cat eats a large quantity of these baits, it could cause a temporary upset stomach but does not pose any long-term health risk. The vaccine does not contain the live rabies virus.

It is recommended that anyone who finds a bait leave it alone to allow wildlife to find it. If the bait is on your lawn, driveway or other area unlikely to attract raccoons, you can wear a glove and move the bait to an area of thicker cover where raccoons are more likely to find it. If you come in contact with the liquid vaccine, you should wash the affected area with soap and water and call the USDA Wildlife Services Rabies Information Line at 1-866-487-3297. 

More Information

Talking Points: North Carolina Oral Rabies Vaccination Program

October 2021

• This program is a cooperative effort among the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services and the North Carolina Department of Health

• The goal of the Wildlife Services, National Rabies Management Program is to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies by containing and eliminating the virus.

• To stop the spread of this deadly disease, we’re using the latest in science and technology to vaccinate the raccoon population and using our knowledge of foraging behaviors to ensure the animals are able to find the baits.

• Wildlife Services will be distributing baits in early to mid-October and will continue to monitor the locations of rabies-positive raccoon cases.

• We have been distributing oral rabies vaccination baits in North Carolina since 2005.

• Beginning on or about October 5, 2021, >500,000 baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be distributed in parts of the following counties by fixed wing aircraft: Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Jackson, Graham, Swain, Haywood, Transylvania, Henderson, Buncombe, Yancey, Madison, Mitchell, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes.

• Beginning on or about October 6, 2021 approximately 56,700 baits containing the oral rabies vaccine will be distributed in greater Asheville, Burnsville, Mars Hill and Waynesville, NC by helicopter.

• In urban areas of Asheville, ground teams are distributing approximately 6,100 baits by hand. These baits consist of vaccine sachets encased inside fishmeal polymer baits about the size of a matchbox.

• The entire project is expected to be completed by the middle of October, depending on weather and other factors.

• The baits contain a vaccine that once consumed by a raccoon will vaccinate the animal against the rabies virus.

• The ORV baits consist of a sachet, or plastic packet, containing the rabies vaccine. To make the baits attractive, the packets are sprinkled with a fishmeal coating or encased inside hard fishmeal–polymer blocks about the size of a matchbox.

• As the number of vaccinated animals in the population increases, they act as a buffer to stop the spread of the disease to other wildlife, domestic animals, and people.

• Wildlife does not recognize borders so cooperation with neighboring states is crucial to the success of the program.

• When a raccoon bites into a bait, the vaccine packet is punctured allowing the vaccine into the animal’s mouth. The raccoon’s immune system is then tricked into thinking it has been exposed to the rabies virus and makes antibodies to fight the disease. The blueprint on how to make these antibodies is stored in the raccoon’s immune system, allowing its body to respond should it be exposed to a rabid animal.

• Wildlife Services monitors the status of raccoons and locations of rabies-positive cases. The most current positive raccoon rabies cases are typically located on the eastern edge of the vaccination zone.

• Wildlife Services appreciates the assistance of the public by reporting strange acting animals to local animal control offices or to Wildlife Services toll-free at 1-866-4-USDA-WS.

Tips for Public Encountering Baits or Bait Contact

• If you find a bait, leave it where you found it unless it is on your lawn, driveway, or other area unlikely to attract raccoons. While wearing a glove, you can move the bait to an area of thicker cover where raccoons are more to likely find it.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with baits. An intact bait will not harm you, but the fishmeal smell may get on your skin. If a bait is broken and the liquid vaccine is visible, use gloves to place the bait in a bag and dispose of it with your regular trash. Once the bait has ruptured, it will no longer be effective. Again, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with a bait.

• 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. Do not attempt to remove a bait from your pet; doing so may cause you to be bitten.

• The vaccine does not contain the live rabies virus; however, it contains a single gene that may cause a local pox-type infection in people who are pregnant or have an immunodeficiency disease. Anyone who comes into contact with the liquid vaccine should wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and call the phone number listed on the bait or your local health department for further instructions and referral.

General rabies prevention messages

• Please do not feed wildlife. It could lead to a rabies exposure.

• Avoid contact with all wildlife, even innocent or orphaned juveniles.

• Please do not move wildlife.

• Please make sure to vaccinate your domestic pets and livestock to protect them from contracting the rabies virus.

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Published at 10:47am on Monday, September 27, 2021

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Weather Briefing for Friday, March 5, 2021

OUTLOOK

Dry high pressure will set up through our area through today before a Gulf Coast low pressure system passes mostly south of the region Friday night into Saturday, with minimal chance for rainfall. Canadian high pressure builds back into the area Sunday, maintaining warm, dry conditions through the middle of next week. Relative humidities will fall below 30% in most of the county this afternoon, so please be mindful of burning outdoors today. Make sure you have an adequate fireline and water ready if you decide you can't put it off for a few days.


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News Highlights

Macon County Public Health Moves into Group 3 Vaccination Appointments

Under the direction of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Macon County Public Health and other vaccine providers have begun to vaccinate individuals who qualify to receive the vaccine as frontline, essential workers. Macon County Public Health has worked through a majority of the existing waitlist, including those who are 65-years of age or older who previously qualified for their vaccine.

MCPH has continued to receive special event dosage from NC DHHS and will have a delivery of one-thousand-seven-hundred (1,700) next week. MCPH will have both the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines next week.

NC DHHS is defining frontline, essential workers as those who must be in-person at your place of work, in the following sectors: critical manufacturing, education (including college and university staff), essential goods (including workers at any store that sells groceries or medicine), food and agriculture (including restaurant workers), government and community services (including workers at non-profit organizations), public safety, transportation, and all remaining health care and public health workers.

You can learn more about who may qualify at: [https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/vaccines/find-your-spot- take-your-shot]

Individuals in Group 3 that want to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, must call Macon County’s Vaccine Call Center at 828-524-1500 to register and schedule an appointment. The Macon County Vaccine Call Center is open Monday – Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.


• Barbara McRae, the Vice-Mayor of Franklin, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. [Facebook]

Local Rabies Clinics

• Macon County Public Health Reports 6th Rabid Animal Since December (3 skunks and 3 raccoons)



Macon County has identified an additional rabies-positive raccoon. A citizen reported a potentially rabid raccoon to Macon County Animal Services, the animal was then brought back to the shelter, euthanized, and sent for testing. There is no known exposure to this animal. The animal was picked up in the Cowee Township of the county.

While rabies is endemic to bats, skunks, and raccoons in North Carolina, the best prevention is the rabies vaccination. In light of recent rabies-positive animals, Macon County Animal Services will be sponsoring low-cost rabies vaccination clinics at local schools on March 27th and April 10th. More details can be found on Macon County Animal Services Facebook page. Macon County residents are encouraged to ensure that their animals are up-to-date on all vaccinations.

Macon County Animal Services Section Administrator, Dr. Villiard, said of the incident, “While rabies is endemic is skunks, raccoons and bats in North Carolina, the recent increase in the number of detected cases in Macon County does raise concern for our pets. We are actively coordinating with our local veterinarians to schedule low-cost rabies vaccine clinics, to make sure that the pets of Macon County are protected.”

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system in humans and other mammals. A person may contract rabies through a bite, scratch, or saliva from an infected animal. Potential rabies exposure should never be taken lightly; left untreated, rabies is fatal.

Animals do not have to be aggressive or behaving erratically to have the rabies virus. Changes in any animal’s normal behavior can be early signs of rabies. Any exposure to these animals should be reported to Macon County Animal Services, so that the animal can be located and tested for rabies.

Macon County pet owners should also be sure to check their pet’s last rabies vaccination is up-to-date, to prevent a possible rabies infection.

In addition to keeping your pets vaccinated, pet owners should keep cats and ferrets indoors and keep dogs under direct supervision, by spaying or neutering their pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or vaccinated regularly, and call animal control to remove all stray animals from their neighborhood since these animals may be unvaccinated or ill.

Every day citizens should also be sure to prevent rabies in themselves by leaving wildlife alone, wash animal bites and scratches with soap and water, vaccinating pets, and contacting your healthcare provider immediately after you are bitten, scratched, or otherwise exposed to an animal who may be positive for rabies. Rabies in people is preventable through prompt medical care.



• The latest local COVID-19 numbers, charts, and tables have been posted [LINK]

Recent Local Government Meetings

• Franklin Town Council - March 2021 Regular Meeting [LINK]

• The Macon County Board of Commissioners -Special Called Meeting (02-26-2021) [LINK]

• Macon County Board of Education - February 2021 Regular Meeting [LINK]

• Macon County Board of Commissioners - February 2021 Regular Meeting [LINK]

• Franklin Town Council - February 2021 Regular Meeting [LINK]



• The latest local COVID-19 numbers, charts, and tables have been posted [LINK]

• Annual 4-H Plant Sales for 2021 Announced [LINK]



National Weather Map for Today

General forecast through Sunday Night


Franklin area

Today
(Use caution if burning outdoors this afternoon)


Sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with lows around 30. Winds out of the north 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with highs near 50. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 50. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph by midmorning.

Sunday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s.

Highlands area
(Use caution if burning outdoors this afternoon)


Today

Sunny, with highs near 50. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with lows in the upper 20s. Winds out of the north around 5 mph.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 40s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s. WInds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with highs in the mid-40s. Winds out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night

Clear, with lows in the upper 20s.

Otto area
(Use caution if burning outdoors this afternoon)


Today

Sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. Winds out of the north 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with lows around freezing. Winds out of the north around 5 mph.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with highs near 50. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with highs in the lower 50s. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph by midmorning.

Sunday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-to-upper 20s.

Nantahala area
(Use caution if burning outdoors this afternoon)


Today

Mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 50s. Light and variable winds early increasing to come out of the north 5 to 10 mph by midmorning.

Tonigh

t Mostly cloudy, with lows around freezing. Winds out of the north 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with highs in the upper 40s. Calm winds in the morning increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s. Winds out of the northwest around 5 mph becoming calm before midnight.

Sunday

Sunny, with highs in the upper 40s. Calm winds early increasing to come out of the northwest 5 to 10 mph by midmorning.

Sunday Night

Clear, with lows in the mid-20s.



HAZARDS

In general, hazardous weather is not excpected today. Relative humidities will fall below 30% in most of the county this afternoon, so please be mindful of burning outdoors today. Make sure you have an adequate fireline and water ready if you decide you can't put it off for a few days.





Air Quality

Air quality is in the upper range of green for most of the county, including the ridges and other higher elevations today.

Pollen

Pollen levels are expected to be in the medium-high range (9.1 out of 12) today with Alder, Juniper, and Elm being the main culprits. Tomorrow is expected to be lower, in the medium range (6.9 out of 12).


Weather Extremes for Macon County on March 5th


Highest Temperature 77°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 1955
Lowest Temperature -1°F in Highlands in 1960
Greatest One-Day Rain 2.68 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station in 2008
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 2.5 inches in Highlands in 1980

March Weather Extremes for Macon County

Highest Temperature 86°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on March 15, 1967
Lowest Temperature -7°F in Highlands on March 7, 1899
Greatest One-Day Rain 6.43 inches in Highlands on March 29, 1898
Greatest One-Day Snowfall 25.5 inches at the Coweeta Experimental Station on March 13, 1993 

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Published at 4:36am on Friday, March 05, 2021

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