Public in Croatia warned not to touch or move rabies baits 

(Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Croatia’s annual autumn campaign for the oral vaccination of foxes against rabies begins on 7 October 2025.

The operation starts from Vinkovci and Brač airports, covering eastern Croatia and Dalmatia, before continuing from Varaždin in northern Croatia and Krk (Rijeka) for the Gorski Kotar and Istria regions.

Depending on weather conditions, the campaign is expected to conclude by 31 October 2025.

This large-scale public health measure, coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, aims to maintain Croatia’s rabies-free status, achieved in 2021 after a decade of continuous oral vaccination campaigns.

Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting both animals and humans. It is transmitted primarily through bites or saliva from infected animals. In the wild, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are the main reservoir in Croatia, while urban rabies, carried mostly by dogs, remains a serious issue in many developing countries.

Croatia’s last recorded case of rabies was in 2014, and since 2011, the systematic vaccination of foxes has played a key role in eliminating the disease.

How the Vaccination Works

The vaccines are distributed by aircraft, the most efficient method for covering large areas. Each plane releases 25 bait vaccines per square kilometre, guided by GPS technology. In 2025, over 1.3 million vaccine baits will be dropped across the entire country, except on the Adriatic islands.

The baits contain Rabadrop vaccine (produced by Bioveta), which uses a weakened rabies virus strain.

Vaccine decoy and PVC capsule with vaccine (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

The vaccine is sealed inside a capsule placed within a strongly scented, biscuit-like bait attractive to foxes. Once bitten, the vaccine contacts the animal’s mouth lining, triggering immunity within about 21 days, lasting for at least a year.

Safety and Public Guidance

Residents who find vaccine baits in nature are urged not to touch or move them. If a bait appears in a yard or park, it may be carefully pushed into nearby vegetation, only while wearing gloves. If the capsule is damaged and the liquid vaccine visible, it should be placed in a sealed bag and taken to a veterinarian for disposal.

Anyone who comes into contact with the vaccine liquid should wash thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice immediately.

Damaged vaccine bait in nature (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

“In the event of a bite or scratch from a dog, cat, fox or other wild animal, there is a risk of infection with the rabies virus. In such cases, it is necessary to immediately wash the wound thoroughly with plenty of soap and running water and contact a doctor or the nearest anti-rabies unit as soon as possible so that all necessary measures can be taken in a timely manner,” the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Citizens are also urged to keep dogs and pets under supervision while walking in public areas and parks during the oral vaccination campaign and for 30 days after its completion, in order to prevent their contact with the vaccine.

All information about oral vaccination of foxes in 2025 is available on the website of the Veterinary and Food Safety Administration www.veterinarstvo.hr