Vaccine drops begin over northwest Georgia next week

DALTON, Georgia (WDEF) – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources will begin dropping rabies vaccine bait into the woods next week.

On Monday, helicopters will take off from Dalton targeting urban and residential areas.

Then the next week, planes will drop the bait in rural areas of Dade, Catoosa, Whitfield, Walker, and Chattooga counties, with a small part of Murray County.

They plan to drop 880,000 baits containing rabies vaccinations, mainly targeting raccoons.

But it is safe for many more creatures.

From the USDA: “The RABORAL V-RG® vaccine is safe for more than 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits, but should leave them undisturbed if they encounter them. Dogs that consume large numbers of baits may experience an upset stomach, but no long-term health risks. If adults or children come in contact with baits, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap.”