Vaccines Will Rain from the Sky in the USA! Hundreds of Thousands to Be Dropped from the Air

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting a comprehensive vaccination operation in northwest Georgia to curb the spread of rabies among wildlife. The effort will involve dropping more than 500,000 bait containing oral rabies vaccine into the area by plane and helicopter. The operation specifically targets raccoons and other wild animals.

7,000 Square-Kilometer Area Targeted

According to USDA data, bait containing the oral rabies vaccine called RABORAL V‑RG will be distributed to more than 7,000 square kilometers in northwest Georgia. The operation covers 15 counties—Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker, and Whitfield.

Helicopters Took Flight on October 7

Officials said that bait‑dropping operations conducted by helicopter began around October 7. A broader distribution by plane is scheduled to start around October 20. Residents in the area will be able to see the low‑flying helicopters and planes during the operation.

Broad Operation in 15 Counties

In addition to the operation to be carried out from the air, a denser distribution will be conducted with helicopters in certain cities. Dalton, Lafayette, Rome, Calhoun, Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga, and Tunnel Hill are among the places where the work will be especially concentrated. The helicopter operation is expected to last about two to three days, while the distribution by aircraft is expected to take about a week.

Fish‑scented feed is used.

The vaccine packages are prepared with a special coating containing fish meal to attract raccoons and other wildlife. The RABORAL V‑RG vaccine found in the small packages is administered orally when the animals consume the feed. The USDA has been running the oral rabies vaccination program since 1995 to control rabies in wildlife.

Goal: Prevent the spread of rabies to the West

The primary goal of the study is to prevent the spread of the rabies variant seen in raccoons from the eastern regions toward the interior of the United States. Together with efforts in other states, the USDA aims to eliminate terrestrial rabies from the country in the long term. According to CDC data, about 90 percent of rabies cases reported in the U.S. occur in wildlife.

Warning to citizens about vaccine feed

Officials are asking citizens not to touch or move the rabies baits they encounter. If a bait is seen in an open area, it is recommended to relocate it to a safer spot, such as a wooded area, using gloves or a paper towel. If contact with the bait's vaccine occurs, the area of contact must be washed immediately with soap and water.

Pet Owners Must Pay Attention

The USDA says that rabies baits do not pose a rabies risk to pets. However, a dog consuming a large number of baits can cause temporary stomach upset. Officials also note that pet owners should not try to pick up baits from their pets' mouths, as this could increase the risk of bites.

Operation Is Part of the National Program

The work in Georgia forms part of the USDA's national rabies control program carried out in the eastern and southeastern states. In the 2026 program, the Dalton-based effort in Georgia plans to distribute a total of 648,000 oral rabies vaccines to areas in Georgia as well as parts of Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Rabies Is Deadly but Preventable

USDA says that rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but the disease can be prevented with vaccines. According to the agency, the costs associated with detecting, preventing, and controlling rabies can exceed $500 million annually in the United States.

Call Made to Citizens

Under an operation jointly conducted by USDA, CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and other local and federal agencies, residents were urged to avoid contact with wildlife and keep their pets' rabies vaccinations up to date. Citizens seeking information about the program can call USDA Wildlife Services at 1‑866‑487‑3297.