Oral Rabies Vaccine Distribution (ORV) Begins May 6th
Beginning on May 6, 2024 and lasting approximately 5 days, the Cape Cod & Southeast MA Rabies Task Force and the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services (USDA WS) will be conducting Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) in an effort to vaccinate wild raccoons to prevent the spread of raccoon variant rabies to Cape Cod.
The rotary wing ORV operations will be based out of Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM) and is tentatively scheduled to occur beginning May 6. The helicopter distribution will occur primarily in the immediate vicinity of and around: Plymouth, Wareham, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Lakeville, Rochester, Marion, Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, and Barnstable (see map below). Weather-permitting, aerial ORV operations could be completed in four days.
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).
