Short Wave Sky Vaccines: Ridding Raccoons Of Rabies En Masse
Nov 1, 2023
Jordona Kirby, a wildlife biologist with the USDA, delves into the innovative approaches to combat rabies among raccoons. She explains how millions of oral vaccines are distributed, often via aerial drops, in an effort to eliminate rabies in targeted regions. The conversation touches on the challenges of this initiative, from urban to rural distribution, and the evolution of rabies management strategies in the U.S. Kirby also discusses the importance of public education in addressing rabies beyond raccoons, especially concerning bats.
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Rabies Prevalence
- Human rabies deaths are rare in the U.S. today, dropping from over 100 annually in the early 1900s to one or two by the century's end.
- Despite this, tens of thousands are exposed to rabies each year, primarily from wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.
Unique Rabies Management
- The USDA's National Rabies Management Program actively manages wildlife rabies at its source, a unique approach in North America.
- The program uses oral vaccines, delivered through treats dropped from planes and helicopters, to vaccinate raccoons.
Rabies Transmission and Prevention
- Rabies, a virus transmitted through saliva, primarily from wildlife, affects the central nervous system, leading to encephalitis.
- Post-exposure prophylaxis, involving a series of vaccines, is 100% effective in preventing rabies if administered after a potential exposure.
