Rabies Vaccine Bait Identification

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June 2007

RABIES VACCINE-BAIT IDENTIFICATION

There are currently two types of vaccine bait, Ontario Slim and Ultra-lite, that are used in Ontario for both fox and raccoon rabies control. The primary differences between the two baits are their size, shape and weight. Exposure to the bait is not harmful to people or pets; however, in the unlikely event that people or pets come in contact with the vaccine contained in the bait, contacting a doctor or veterinarian as a precaution is recommended.

Ontario Slim Vaccine Bait

Ontario Ultra-lite Vaccine Bait

Bait Ingredients

The bait formula coats the blister pack containing the vaccine. This formula is the same for both types of bait and consists of fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavour and dark-green food grade fat-soluble dye. Also included in the bait formula is a small amount of tetracycline (HCl) which is used as a marker so that researchers can determine if an animal has consumed a vaccine bait.

Blister-pack (Vaccine Carrier)

Ontario Slim

This is a brown flocked polystyrene blister pack (19 mm x 19 mm x 7.0 mm) which weighs approximately 13.0 grams. The blister pack has a polyester laminated aluminum foil, heat-sealable lidding.  The polyester side of the seal, which has a green warning label printed under it, is exposed, while the body of the blister pack is embedded in the bait matrix.

Ultra-lite

This is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack (40 mm x 22 mm x 10 mm) which weighs approximately 4.3 grams.  The blister pack is a teal green polyester flocked container with a heat-sealed laminated polyester lidding. The body of the blister pack is embedded in the bait matrix but the green lidding is exposed and has a black warning label printed on it.

Vaccine in Baits

ERA©-BHK-21 oral rabies vaccine
Description: a ‘modified/ live virus liquid vaccine
Volume/bait: 1.8 ±0.1 ml in the blister-pack
Other inclusions: antibiotics and vaccine stabilizers
Colour: golden red opaque
Target species: foxes only

ONRAB oral rabies vaccine
Description: a recombinant live virus liquid vaccine
Volume/bait: 1.8 ±0.1 ml in the blister pack
Other inclusions: antibiotics and vaccine stabilizers
Colour: pale orange to pale pink
Target species: skunk, possibly fox and raccoon

Contact:

Adam McAllister
Rabies Research and Development Unit
(705) 755-1551

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