Rabies Bait Vaccine Distributed in Major Valleys and Streams of Seoul to Protect Wildlife

Touching can cause itching and sores... Caution for contact between pets and wildlife during hiking

Example of Rabies Bait Vaccination Distribution

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 22nd that from April 25 to May 13, it will intensively distribute 40,000 spring rabies bait vaccines to prevent rabies transmitted through wild animals.

The distribution areas include valleys and river regions where raccoons frequently appear, such as Bukhansan, Dobongsan, Suraksan, Bulamsan, Gwanaksan, Yongmasan, Gwanaksan, Umyeonsan, Daemosan, as well as Yangjaecheon, Tancheon, and Anyangcheon.

The rabies bait vaccine is a brown solid measuring 3 cm by 3 cm, made by inserting a preventive vaccine into fish cake dough or chicken dough. When wild animals like raccoons consume it, they develop rabies antibodies.

Seoul City plans to spread 18 to 20 bait vaccines at each location to make it easy for wild animals to find and eat them. Warning signs and notices will be posted at the distribution sites to prevent citizens from touching them. Additionally, any bait vaccines remaining 30 days after distribution will be collected again.

A city official stated, "The bait vaccine can cause itching and allergic reactions upon contact," and urged, "citizens should not touch or come into contact with the wild animal bait vaccines distributed under trees or in bushes during hiking, and should ensure the bait is not lost."

The rabies virus exists in the saliva or mucous membranes of wild raccoons and shows symptoms after an incubation period of about one month. Therefore, when hiking or walking with pets, contact with wild animals should be avoided.

Animals infected with rabies become easily excited or hypersensitive and show aggressive behavior, drool foam, and in severe cases, may lose consciousness and die. For this reason, if a pet is suspected of contacting an animal infected with rabies, it must receive treatment at a veterinary hospital.

If a person is bitten by a wild animal, the wound should be washed with soapy water and medical attention should be sought immediately.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.