Trapped raccoons were handled humanely by veterinarians and trained wildlife biologists. Trapping was conducted under a permit issued by the State. The Humane Society of the United States supports the pilot program. Trapped raccoons were sedated and blood drawn for testing to determine if antibodies to rabies are present . To see how a raccoon is trapped and tested, click here .
Antibodies indicate oral rabies vaccine uptake and immunity to rabies.
See Linked map for trap locations for Oral Rabies program. It is believed that this raccoon had probably been vaccinated and released by a wildlife rehabilitation specialist. These include reduction in the number of animals testing positive for rabies and reduction in the number of persons who must undergo post-exposure rabies treatments. The pilot program is too short in duration to expect to see an impact on these indicators at this stage. The Health Department will present a report on the pilot program to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on February 26,2001.