The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program (USDA-WS) will distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits, in northwest Georgia beginning October 21-28, 2025, to vaccinate raccoons against the rabies virus. Bait distribution in Georgia is part of a nationwide, cooperative effort by USDA to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies in the eastern United States. The baiting program is being conducted in part to abate an emergency human health and safety issue associated with rabies. Implementation of this program in Georgia is a cooperative effort between USDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and other agencies.

Beginning October 21, 500,000 baits containing the RABORAL V-RG ® oral rabies vaccine (ORV) will be distributed across more than 7,000 square kilometers in northwest Georgia targeting raccoons and other wildlife. These baits will be distributed by low-flying airplanes and helicopters throughout the vaccination area that includes parts of the following counties: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, and Whitfield.

The aerial bait drop is expected to take place from October 14-15 for helicopter operations, and from October 21-28 for fixed wing airplane operations. Helicopter baiting will be taking place in Dalton, Lafayette, and Tunnel Hill. When ORV baits are distributed by aircraft, a navigator controls the bait machine and turns off the machine as necessary to avoid dropping baits on roadways, structures, large bodies of water, etc. The ORV baits to be aerially distributed throughout the bait zone are packets of vaccine coated with fish crumbles, which serves as an attractant for raccoons. Each bait is marked with a toll-free number for people to call for assistance or information if they find or come in contact with a bait.

It is recommended that anyone who finds a bait leaves it alone to allow wildlife to find it. However, if a bait is intact and out in the open, it can be tossed deeper into the woods or brush where a wild animal is more likely to find it. People should wear gloves or use a towel if it is necessary to handle baits and wash their hands  afterward. Pet owners should not attempt to take baits away from their pets, as they may be bitten in the process and exposed to the vaccine. Although baits are not harmful to pets, ingestion of a large number of baits may cause a temporary upset stomach. Anyone who comes in contact with the liquid vaccine contained within the bait should wash their hands immediately and contact their local health department for further guidance.
Please contact the USDA at 1-866-487-3297 if you have any questions about the Wildlife Services Oral Rabies Vaccination Program. Below is a map of the 2025 bait distribution zone in Georgia. Additional information is also available from the website:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/wildlifedamage/programs/nrmp