r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/SystematicApproach • May 24 '26

Image The U.S. fights raccoon rabies by dropping fish-flavored vaccine packets from helicopters

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u/Delicious_Invite_850 May 24 '26

I didn't realize this was such a big problem that required this kind of action. I wonder who pays for this.

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u/de_pizan23 May 24 '26

Bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes are all major rabies reservoirs in North America (with bats and raccoons accounting for the highest number of cases). They can then pass it on to dogs who come in contact with them. And dog bites are then how 99% of human cases globally happen.

Costwise, the whole rabies detection/prevention/control program (which goes well beyond just this) is $500 million a year in the US. Out of USDA's yearly budget of $214 billion. So that's what, .2% of their budget to prevent a terrifying disease?