Rabies vaccine distributed in Pasco, Pinellas

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Federal agriculture officials will distribute oral rabies vaccine baits around Pasco and Pinellas counties this month in hopes of trying to control rabies in raccoons.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about 60 bait stations will be strategically placed where raccoons tend to roam. The bait is coated with fishmeal, and people and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the substance.
For the past 15 years, officials have been working to eliminate raccoon rabies from Florida because the virus poses a threat to wildlife, pets and people.

In 1995, Pinellas County reported 30 rabies cases; that number decreased to 1 reported case in 2009.