USDA Field Trials Indicate Oral Rabies Vaccine Safe

The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announces a finding of no significant impact related to oral rabies vaccine (ORV) field trials in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. The finding, which is based on the Environmental Assessment (EA) and the 2013, 2015, and 2017 supplements to the EA, reflects APHIS' determination that the distribution of this experimental wildlife rabies vaccine will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment.

APHIS published a notice announcing a 2018 supplement to the environmental assessment (EA) was available for comment for a 30 day period that ended August 2, 2018. The supplement examined the potential environmental impacts associated with the field trial to test the safety and efficacy of an experimental ORV for wildlife in New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Vermont, and West Virginia. In addition, the supplement analyzed the potential impacts of expanding the geographic range of the field trial zone to two additional counties in Ohio and four additional counties in West Virginia. No comments were received on the solicitation.

The full document can be viewed online from USDA/APHIS.