Fellow birders:
In case you are out and about birding in southwestern VA the next few
weeks, you should be aware of the following:
Beginning August 9, 2004, USDA Wildlife Services Program (WSP) will
distribute approximately 350,000 ice-cube sized oral rabies vaccine baits
aerially across a 2,000 square-mile zone in southwestern VA including parts
of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Russell, Washington, Wise, and Tazewell
counties. This includes parts of the Jefferson National Forest. The vaccine
will be distributed by low-flying aircraft for about 2 weeks and will avoid
dropping baits on roadways, structures, and large bodies of water. In late
August, USDA WSP personnel will distribute approximately 11,000 baits by
handbaiting or from vehicles in suburban and developed areas within the
bait zone. The oral rabies vaccine baits are square, ice-cube sized, blocks
made of fishmeal and fish oil. The vaccine is contained inside of a plastic
packet (red liquid) in the hollow center of the block. Each bait block is
imprinted with a toll-free number (1-877-722-6725) to call for assistance
or information if found. This is an effort by USDA WSP to abate in part an
emergency human health and safety rabies issue affecting the eastern United
States. Implementation of this program in VA is a cooperative effort
between USDA WSP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
Virginia Department of Health, and other state agencies. An Environmental
Assessment was completed by USDA WSP at the Regional level (several states
are involved in this effort).
USDA WSP states that the vaccine is not harmful to wild animals or pets and
the exposure risk to humans is very slight. However, they are recommending
the following in areas that will be baited:
* Encourage children to leave the baits alone
* Keep dogs and cats inside or on leashes at least a week after your area
is baited
* If you have contact with the liquid vaccine inside the bait (a red
fluid), thoroughly wash the exposed skin with soap and water and call your
local health department
* The vaccine cannot be used to vaccinate a pet against rabies
***********************************************
Carol Hardy, Ph.D.
Forest Wildlife Biologist
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Pkwy
Roanoke, VA 24019
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