Avoid Oral Rabies Baits Being Placed Across Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anyone out and about this fall should steer clear of the oral rabies baits that will be placed across the county starting Aug. 26. The Anne Arundel County Department of Health will conduct the annual Raccoon Oral Rabies Vaccination Project, which should be completed by the end of September, weather permitting.

The bait contain a liquid rabies vaccine and will be dropped from a low-flying county police helicopter in less populated areas. The bait also will be placed in neighborhoods by teams of trained department of health staff walking around. Teams will wear shirts with department of health logos and travel in marked county vehicles.

The bait comes in two types. One looks like a ketchup packet with a light brown waxy coating. The other looks like a small brown brick, is approximately 0.75 inches thick by 1.25 inches square and has a plastic packet inside. In both types of bait, the vaccine is contained within the packet.

Anyone who comes in contact with the bait or has a pet that finds the bait should call 410-222-7192 weekdays and 443-481-3140 evenings and weekends.

The vaccine immunizes raccoons when the animal bites into the vaccine packet and cannot cause rabies; it is not harmful to raccoons, pets or other animals.

The health department notes the bait has a very low human health risk. However, it is advised that the following individuals avoid handling the bait:

• People younger than 18 years old.
• Pregnant women.
• Anyone with a compromised immune system.
• Anyone with a chronic skin condition.

The Department of Health also recommends that pet owners keep their pets confined or on a leash during the baiting period and for two weeks thereafter. If a pet finds a bait, carefully remove the bait from the pet’s mouth.