FEDERALLY-OWNED RED & BLACK HELICOPTERS WILL BE DROPPING RABIES VACCINATION BAITS OVER PARTS OF THE REGION, STARTING TODAY…

* Aerial operations will begin September 10 and last approximately 3–4 days, weather permitting. [Barnstable County Government media statement] Oral Rabies Vaccine Distribution (ORV) Begins September 9th In May 2021, the first raccoon-variant rabies case on Cape Cod in over eight years was documented in Hyannis. In response, USDA implemented an emergency trap-vaccinate-release (TVR) campaign throughout the mid-Cape to prevent the disease from spreading. More than 700 unique raccoons were captured alive and unharmed, vaccinated against rabies, tagged, and released at the site of capture. To further mitigate the potential for disease spread, the distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits on Cape Cod occurred in July and September 2021 from the Cape Cod Canal to Orleans. ORV bait distribution continued in May 2022 from Lakeville to Harwich and Brewster. The ORV zone was again reduced in September 2022 to the areas that were treated prior to the 2021 Hyannis case. ORV baits were distributed in the towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Barnstable, Plymouth, Wareham, Carver, Kingston, Middleboro, Rochester, Marion, and Lakeville. Approximately 75,000 ORV baits were distributed across this zone via helicopter and by hand (ground vehicles and bait stations). This area was baited again during 2023 and May 2024. Beginning September 9, 2024, the zone baited in 2023 and spring 2024 will be rebaited. Aerial operations will begin September 10 and last approximately 3–4 days, weather permitting. One low-flying federally-owned red and black helicopter may be observed by the public during this timeframe. Ground operations will occur from September 9–13 and will be conducted by town, county, and federal employees as well as volunteers. The Cape Cod and Southeast MA Rabies Task Force and USDA will be utilizing one federally-owned Airbus helicopter with tail number N250WH or N260WH to distribute baits. The helicopter will be red and black, similar to the one depicted above. The helicopter will be flying approximately 300 feet above ground level while distributing baits and you may receive inquiries from the public regarding low-flying aircraft. If there are any questions regarding any of the ORV operations, please contact Wildlife Biologist and Cape Cod Rabies Program Coordinator Brian Bjorklund at (413) 537-9394. For more information about the Rabies Task Force and/or the ORV program, please visit: Rabies Task Force – Barnstable County (capecod.gov).