[retrac]

We're in a prolonged guerilla conflict in Canada. We are winning but the end is not in sight yet.

In Ontario every year the Ministry of Forestry distributes several million doses of rabies vaccine for wildlife. The goal is to immunize the majority of skunks, foxes, raccoons and the like, particularly in populated areas.

They air drop edible pellets with the live rabies vaccine; they are labeled "do not touch do not eat" because it can vaccinate most susceptible mammals, including humans.

[never_inline]

Maybe I am stupid to have to ask this, but what's the problem if a human gets vaccinated by accident?

[pfdietz]

The live adenovirus (engineered to express a rabies protein) is not entirely safe. It won't give you rabies, but it does infect you. For wild animals, it's ok if some small fraction die from it.

They should spread some of these around my town in central NY; we've had rabid animals recently (cat and fox).

[datakan]

The pellets can cause localized infections or rashes to humans. More dangerous to certain groups like small children, pregnant women and people with immune system issues.