"Do Not Touch"... Yangju City Sprays 'Rabies Vaccine' in Various Locations

Distributed in Parks and Walking Trails Near Apartment Complexes in Okjeong New Town and Deokjeong-dong
Rabies Bait Vaccine to Be Spread on June 10-11 to Prevent Rabies Caused by Wild Animals Such as Raccoons

Yangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kang Su-hyun) announced on the 7th that it will distribute "rabies bait vaccine" from the 10th to the 11th to prevent rabies caused by wild animals such as raccoons.

A view of Yangju City Hall. Provided by Yangju City.

This bait vaccine will be distributed in parks and walking trails near apartment complexes in Okjeong New Town and Deokjeong-dong areas within the city, where residents are densely populated and raccoons frequently appear.

Yangju City plans to hang banners and post precautions in areas where the "bait vaccine" is distributed to guide citizens not to touch the bait vaccine.

This is because if humans touch it and leave their scent, wild animals may avoid eating it, and people with sensitive skin may experience itching.

Meanwhile, rabies is a zoonotic infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans and livestock. If the disease progresses severely, it can lead to convulsions, paralysis, coma, and death due to respiratory muscle paralysis.

In particular, raccoons, which are the main carriers of rabies, often show no symptoms even if infected, making prevention even more important.

The "rabies bait vaccine" contains a preventive vaccine inside fish cake dough to attract wild animals. When animals eat it, the vaccine is absorbed through the gum mucosa to form immunity.

The bait vaccine used has been proven safe for more than 50 species of animals, including dogs and cats. Although it is not dangerous if pets eat it, to achieve accurate rabies prevention effects for pets such as dogs and cats, they must receive the "rabies vaccine for pets."

A Yangju City official said, "Raccoons, which are vectors for rabies transmission, are not classified as nuisance wildlife and capturing them is prohibited. However, we will devise and strive for various methods to ensure a safe coexistence between citizens and wildlife in this ecological city."