USDA Distributes Oral Rabies Vaccine for Wildlife in Northern Maine

Aug 11, 2026

In cooperation with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), officials from U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Wildlife Services will distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits this week. USDA Wildlife Services will distribute nearly 599,000 ORV baits in Aroostook County from August 12 through August 24.

The fall ORV bait distribution follows this past spring's distribution and is in response to continued rabid raccoon detections in Aroostook County. The USDA's Wildlife Services spreads ORV baits to reduce the spread of the raccoon rabies virus in Maine. The baits help limit the potential for human and domestic animal exposures to the rabies virus through contact with infected wild animals.

Crews will spread the bait by air in rural areas and by vehicle in more populated areas. Each bait is a fishmeal-coated cube or sachet about one to two inches in size. Although humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the bait, they should not touch or move them.

Studies show that ORV baits are safe in many species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. While dogs may get upset stomachs if they eat a lot of bait, there are no known long-term health risks. If a person has skin contact with a bait cube or sachet, rinse the affected area with warm water and soap. For concerns about a person or pet touching or eating a bait, call the Maine CDC's 24-hour line at 800-821-5821.

Since 2003, the USDA's Wildlife Services has worked to halt the spread of raccoon rabies in northern Maine. They also collaborate with Canadian officials in New Brunswick and Quebec to reduce the presence of rabies across Maine and Canada. The ORV bait distribution program in Maine is part of a larger effort by the USDA's Wildlife Services to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies. This effort creates a barrier along the Appalachian Mountains from the Canadian border to Alabama.

Rabies is a virus that infects the nervous system of humans and other mammals. It spreads mainly through a bite from an infected animal. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. Timely post-exposure treatment can prevent disease in people. Approximately 90 percent of reported animal rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wildlife. As of August 10, 2026, 28 animals tested positive for rabies this year in 12 counties across Maine. These animals include raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, and a goat.

To help protect yourself and your pet against rabies:

• Keep your pets and livestock up to date on rabies vaccinations.
• Feed pets indoors.
• Keep garbage cans or other sources of food tightly secured.
• Do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals. Be cautious of stray dogs and cats.
• Do not move wildlife. This can spread rabies into new areas.
• Wash bite or scratch wounds with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Who to contact:

• If an animal bites or scratches you, contact a health care provider.
• If an animal bites or scratches your pet, contact your veterinarian.
• To report a dead or suspicious-acting animal in northern Maine, contact the USDA's Wildlife Services. In other parts of Maine, contact the nearest Maine Regional Communications Dispatch Center.

For more information:

• USDA Rabies webpage
• Maine CDC Rabies webpage
• USDA Wildlife Services: 1-866-487-3297
• Maine CDC disease reporting & consultation line: 1-800-821-5821 (available 24/7)

Photo of bait types: The bottom two bait types in the photo are a fishmeal-coated sachet(bottom) and cube(middle) and are the only two used in this ORV bait drop in Maine.