09/01/2026
HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES START OF PILOT ORAL RABIES VACCINATION PROGRAM
On Friday, September 4, 2026, the Harford County Health Department will launch its pilot Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) Program. The program will place over 15,000 baits containing the rabies vaccine throughout Harford County with the goal of immunizing thousands of wild raccoons to help prevent the spread of rabies.
Raboral V-RG is a live virus vaccine, but it cannot cause rabies and is not harmful to raccoons, pets, or other animals. The vaccine has been used successfully in Anne Arundel County, Maryland since 1998 and in more than ten other states to control raccoon rabies. While the vaccine presents a low risk to human health, it is advised that bait should not be handled by anyone who is under 18 years old, is pregnant, immunocompromised, or has a chronic skin condition.
The baits are made of fishmeal and polymers and come in two forms: a small brown brick containing a packet of liquid rabies vaccine and a condiment-style packet coated with a waxy fishmeal attractant. The raccoon must bite into the packet to be vaccinated. Ground teams will distribute the baits in likely raccoon habitats throughout Harford County parks and neighborhoods, using marked state vehicles.
“We are committed to keeping our community healthy, and the launch of this program marks an important step forward in preventing the spread of rabies and keeping Harford County residents and animals safe,” said Harford County Health Officer Lauren Levy.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease spread through the bites or scratches of infected animals, or when their saliva comes into contact with a person or animal’s eyes, nose, mouth, or open wound. Since rabid animals can come into contact with people and their pets, rabies remains a significant public health threat. While pets can be vaccinated against rabies, people exposed to rabies must undergo a costly series of shots to protect them from the disease.
“Rabies is a serious disease,” County Executive Bob Cassilly said. “Given the rise in positive tests among local wildlife and community concerns, I was eager to support the Health Department’s request to fund this vaccination program. Our goal is to limit cases in the wild to protect people, pets, and other animals.”
Harford County Council President Patrick Vincenti said, “As chair of the Harford County Board of Health, I am thankful for the advocacy of our citizens for this fantastic program, and my colleagues and I are proud to have supported the funding for this project.”
Anyone who comes into contact with the bait should call the Harford County Health Department at 410-877-2300. Because the bait’s high-fat attractant may cause stomach irritation in dogs, cats, and ferrets, pet owners are encouraged to keep pets confined or on a leash during the baiting and for two weeks after. For more information about the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program, please visit https://harfordcountyhealth.com/oral-rabies-vaccination-project/
