Rabies vaccination projects halted in states impacted by Hurricane Helene; here’s why that could be bad

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Due to major catastrophic impacts from Hurricane Helene, oral rabies vaccination, or ORV, projects in several states are being postponed.

On Oct. 11, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced , via social media, that ORV projects in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee are halted from now until 2025.

These projects were part of the Wildlife Services’ National Rabies Management Program. Due to damages to ORV baiting areas, the government organization said they are pressing pause after “careful consideration.”

However, this decision could negatively affect the communities in those regions.

According to the National Library of Medicine , the spread of rabies can increase after natural disasters due to a higher number of a displaced dog population. Dogs can also have increased aggression after natural disasters, making them more likely to bite.

Rabies in animals can be fatal to humans when transmitted via biting or scratching. Racoons, bats and foxes are among the most common wildlife to be carriers.

Hampton Roads despite not feeling the effects of Hurricane Helene, still saw several animal rabies cases from July through September including ones in Virginia Beach , Williamsburg and York County .

The virus gains access to the nervous system, and once symptoms appear — patients tend to die quickly with no intensive supportive care, according to the CDC. Many victims of Hurricane Helene are already struggling just to get access to basic medical needs.

The government organization has not yet provided information on how they plan to address the issue.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.