Residents living on the edges of Tennessee are witnessing an unusual sight this October, but it's one with a life-saving purpose. The Tennessee Department of Health, alongside the United States Department of Agriculture, is kicking off its annual aerial assault against rabies with an oral vaccine distribution aimed at wild raccoons in the surrounding border areas. Beginning October 5, 2024, the skies will be dotted with low-flying aircraft dispensing baited vaccines across multiple counties in an initiative part of a longer-term effort to curb rabies infections, according to a statement by the Tennessee Department of Health.
The operation targets stretches in Bledsoe, Bradley, Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamilton, Hawkins, Johnson, Marion, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington counties. Sachet baits loaded with RABORAL V-RG® or ONRAB oral rabies vaccine (ORV) will be disseminated across these areas. To minimize risks, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, has established a clear protocol. A navigator aboard each aircraft will control and halt the bait machine as needed to avoid dropping baits on roads, structures, or bodies of water. The bait, wrapped in a fish-scented substance, is designed to attract raccoons and comes with a toll-free number for individuals seeking additional information or assistance if they come into contact with one.
Helicopters will handle vaccine distribution in urban areas between October 6 and 11, while airplanes will take over the rural counties starting on October 5, and running through October 17. The Tennessee Department of Health emphasizes the importance of this measure, stating that rabies is almost always fatal after symptoms develop, but is preventable through timely vaccination.
2024 marks the 24th year of Tennessee's engagement in such preventative measures against raccoon rabies. Efforts have proven effective so far, with no cases of the raccoon variant reported in the state this year. Despite the vaccine's safety, USDA Wildlife Services advise caution, recommending that any found baits be tossed into wooded areas while wearing gloves or using a towel. Inadvertent consumption by pets is not harmful, but there could be an upset stomach if several baits are ingested. The baits are distinctly labeled with a warning and the rabies information line telephone number for easy citizen reference.
While addressing the potential concerns of residents in affected areas, authorities stress that children should be instructed to leave any baits they find untouched. An additional level of reassurance is provided by the specific guidance on handling the bait: use gloves or a towel, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water if there's a chance the vaccine packet has been ruptured. The proactive measure aims to mitigate rabies risk, ensuring both wildlife and community safety in the covered Tennessee counties.
