Once it’s contracted, it’s essentially 100% fatal
— Zak Mertz, co-chair Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force
Keeping Rabies at Bay
Spotting some small smelly catsup-packet-sized white rectangles on the ground? Two-week program aims to vaccinate wildlife on Upper Cape
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08 May 2026 — CAPE COD, MA — Local and federal employees have begun a two-week rabies vaccination program across Barnstable and Plymouth Counties. The team distributes ketchup packet-sized sachets filled with oral vaccines for raccoon-variant rabies, distributing them from the air and on the ground. The Cape Cod & Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services say this year’s distribution should conclude around May 14.
What do oral rabies vacines look like?
Over the next several weeks, residents and visitors enjoying the outdoors in Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth and Sandwich may encounter smelly, ketchup packet-sized sachets lying on the ground. These packets contain a vaccine for raccoon-variant rabies and are being distributed in wildlife habitats as part of the state’s oral rabies vaccination (ORV) bait distribution program.
“Essentially what’s happening is we’re prophylactically distributing rabies vaccines,” said Zak Mertz, CEO of New England Wildlife Centers and co-chair of the Cape Cod and Southeast Massachusetts Rabies Task Force.
When does the rabies baiting begin?
Starting May 5, Mertz’s task force and the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services commenced a two-week effort to spread ORV bait packets throughout portions of Barnstable and Plymouth Counties.
The “annual spring bait drop” as Mertz calls it, takes place over two weeks and involves the distribution of fish meal-covered sachets containing an oral vaccine for racoon-variant rabies. The goal is to tempt rabies-vector species, such as raccoons and foxes, into eating the packets, therefore vaccinating them against the virus.
“It not only keeps those individual wildlife animals safe, but it also prevents the spread of this disease to the point where it could impact, you know, pets or people or even spread within the wildlife populations in those counties,” Mertz said.
When does the second phase of the project begin?
The first phase of the program, which concluded on May 8, saw local and federal employees distributing vaccine-filled sachets on foot and by vehicle. The second phase begins May 12 and will continue for approximately three days, weather permitting. During this time, people in the distribution area may see a red and black USDA-owned helicopter conducting low-altitude bait packet drops.
“[The bait packets] are non-toxic to pets and they also have a contact number right on the sash itself,” Mertz said. “…it’s also important that you report the baits that you find because every bait that you find that isn’t in a natural area is one bait that an animal doesn’t get to eat.”
How long as rabies baiting been happening?
According to Mertz, ORV distribution efforts started on Cape Cod about three decades ago. The spring 2026 distribution period does not include any towns east of Barnstable due to a steep decline in rabies cases on the Cape in recent years.
“Due to the extremely low incidents of raccoon-variant rabies on the Cape because this program has been so successful, we’ve actually been able to push virus exposure pretty much off the peninsula itself,” Mertz said.
Does Cape Cod have rabies in its wildlife population?
While rabies cases have become rare in Barnstable County, Mertz says the task force still distributes in the Town of Barnstable because Hyannis is considered a high population center. Further up the Cape, he adds that Bourne, Falmouth and Sandwich are included in the distribution area to act as a “defensive boundary” of sorts to shield the rest of the region from the possibility of infected animals crossing the canal.
How does rabies spread?
Despite the rarity of rabies on the Cape, Mertz and other wildlife officials emphasize the importance of keeping a safe distance from rabies-vector species.
“As a wildlife hospital and on the task force, we’re always cautioning folks that, you know, ‘the best way to enjoy wildlife is from a distance,’” Mertz said.
In most cases, rabies is transmitted via saliva-to-blood contact. Mertz says the virus is equally dangerous, whether it’s contracted by humans, pets or wildlife.
What happens if you are exposed to rabies?
“Once it’s contracted, it’s essentially 100% fatal,” Mertz said. “And so, it’s not something you want to mess around with. The good news is, you can get the rabies vaccine post-exposure.”
Crucially, the vaccine loses efficacy if not administered soon after exposure to the virus. According to Mertz, the vaccine is 99.9% effective if received within a seven or so days of infection.
“And so the moral of the story is if you’ve come into contact with an animal that you are worried about or suspicious, seek advice early, seek advice often,” Mertz said.
