Rabies Vaccine Airdrop Began Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Laredo, TX.—The City of Laredo Health Department wants to inform the public that the Texas Department of State Health Services began its annual oral rabies vaccination airdrop program to immunize coyotes and gray fox population.  
Rabies is still a serious endemic viral disease that can be transmitted though a bite from an infected animal and/or through contact with saliva of an infected animal through an open wound and can be life threatening.  Therefore, the best preventive measure is vaccination of domestic pets with rabies vaccine. To further reduce the risk of natural rabies spread, the oral vaccine program has made an important impact and it was initiated Wednesday, January 7, 2009.  
 What is the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP)?
… It is an innovative program that uses an oral rabies vaccine to control rabies in wildlife.
… A dose of the vaccine is placed in a plastic sachet and inserted in the hollow center of a bait composed dog food or fish meal.
… This project requires aerial distribution of oral vaccine/bait units.
… The bait does not pose a risk to other animals and is considered safe and efficient.  

Why is ORVP important?
… To continue to prevent reintroduction of rabies carried by coyotes into South Texas to reduce human exposure.

When does ORVP take place?
… The flights began on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 and will end on Saturday, January 11, 2009.

Since the most effective control and prevention measure for rabies in our community is heavily dependant on rabies vaccination of your pets in addition to the massive wildlife coyote immunization campaign we urge the public to continue pet vaccinations.

NEXT CLINICS:

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
City of Laredo Health Department (2600 Cedar)

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Old Santo Nino WIC Clinic (2200 Zacatecas)

Cost for the vaccine is $12.00/pet. Please bring your dogs on a leash, cats in a pillowcase, and it is recommended to leave your children at home.  

If you need more information regarding rabies or rabies vaccination, you can contact the Health Department, Disease Control & Epidemiology Division at 795-4951.

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