U.S.D.A. Aircraft to Fly Over Catoosa County Distributing Oral Rabies Vaccine
Post Date:04/01/2026U.S. Department of Agriculture aircraft will fly over the region, including Catoosa County, to distribute oral rabies vaccine baits from April 7 through April 15. This is NOT a Catoosa County program! It is part of the annual USDA program to vaccinate raccoons in the wild in Southern Appalachia. If you have questions or concerns contact the USDA at 1-866-487-3297.
Here is the full news release from USDA:
The United States Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services program (USDA-WS) will distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits, in northwest Georgia beginning April 7-15, 2026, 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 April 7, >500,000 baits containing the RABORAL V-RG® oral rabies vaccine (ORV) will be distributed across more than 7,000 square kilometers (2700 square miles) 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, Dade, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, and Whitfield.
The aerial bait drop is expected to take place from April 13-15 for helicopter operations, and from April 7-14 for fixed wing airplane operations. Helicopter baiting will be taking place in Dalton, Chickamauga, LaFayette, Fort Oglethorpe, Ringgold, Rock Spring, Rome, 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 a bait or come in contact with the vaccine.
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.
