The U.S. Department of Agriculture is dropping oral rabies vaccine baits across north Georgia.
The rabies vaccine drop, by plane, started on Oct. 20, according to local officials from the North Georgia Health District. An earlier helicopter-based vaccination effort began on Oct. 7.
The initiative is a joint effort between the USDA, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Georgia Department of Health and more.
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Over the next few days, aerial bait drops will distribute more than 500,000 vaccine baits across the region.
Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the baits are small packets with liquid vaccine inside, coated with an oily, fish-scented substance meant to attract raccoons.
Each bait also has a toll-free information number on it, according to the health department.
The rabies vaccine drop zone is spread out across more than 7,000 kilometers, according to officials, covering parts of Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Fannin, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker and Whitfield counties.
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