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The U.S. Department of Agriculture disseminates bait containing liquid vaccinia-rabies glycoprotein recombinant virus vaccine in rural areas of 15 eastern states and Texas to prevent rabies spread among raccoons, coyotes, and gray foxes. Approximately 100 million such baits have been distributed since 1990. The bait package contains a “Do Not Disturb” warning and a toll-free telephone number to call if a human or a pet has contact with the bait.
In August 2009, a 35-year-old woman who was berry picking in Pennsylvania had the vaccine leak onto her thorn-abraded hand after her dog punctured the bait packet. The woman was taking immunosuppressive medications for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. On day 4 after exposure, she reported…