Kyiv Launches Mass Rabies Vaccination for Wild Animals: Over 8,300 Bait Doses to Be Placed in Forest Parks

Spring Oral Vaccination Drive Targets Wild Carnivores in Kyiv

According to Главком: A spring campaign to orally vaccinate wild carnivores against rabies has begun in Kyiv’s forest and park zones. The initiative will cover an area of 335 square kilometers, where 8,375 bait doses are to be distributed. Each bait is a brick-shaped container holding a vaccine capsule, and it poses no risk to people, pets, or the environment.

Foxes are the primary carriers of rabies, making this campaign essential. In March of this year, a quarantine was imposed in the Prystolychna community of Kyiv region due to rabies outbreaks. The quarantine will last 60 days and covers a 10-kilometer radius around the village of Shchaslyve, including six settlements:

• Shchaslyve
• Chubynske
• Mala Oleksandrivka
• Velyka Oleksandrivka
• Bezuhlivka
• Prolisky

Notably, last September a deer died from rabies at a private mini-zoo in the village of Petropavlivska Borshchahivka. The potential exposure period for contact with the zoo’s animals runs from August 16, 2025, until the deer’s death.

Campaign Goals and Safety Precautions

The oral vaccination program aims to reduce the risk of rabies spreading among wild animals. To ensure public safety, certain precautions are advised. Residents should not touch or move any bait they find. Parents should watch children to prevent them from picking up baits, and dogs must be kept on a leash during walks in forested and park areas.

Together, the vaccination campaign and the quarantine are designed to curb rabies transmission and protect the population in Kyiv region. Given the recent outbreaks and confirmed cases, these measures are critical for controlling the situation and safeguarding both human and animal health. Vaccinating wild animals can significantly lower rabies risks and help prevent future flare-ups.

In addition to efforts in Kyiv to combat rabies, the country is also prioritizing public health through vaccination initiatives. Recently, Ukraine has secured a substantial supply of vaccines to offer free immunization against measles for adults. These proactive measures highlight the government's commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens. For more details on this important vaccination program, visit the latest updates on adult immunization in Ukraine.