USDA to distribute rabies vaccine for wildlife in Tennessee, Virginia
TENNESSEE/VIRGINIA (WJHL) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Tennessee Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Health will distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits for wildlife in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
The bait distribution program aims to prevent the westward movement of rabies, mostly spread by raccoons, the USDA said in a news release.
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The smell of the ORV baits attracts wild animals, the USDA said. The animals then eat the bait and are vaccinated against rabies.
The baits will be distributed using small airplanes, helicopters and vehicles in the following Northeast Tennesse and Southwest Virignia areas starting April 2 and lasting around two weeks:
Carter County
Greene County
Johnson County
Sullivan County
Unicoi County
Washington County, Tennessee
Washington County, Virginia
Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol, Virginia
Elizabethton
Erwin
Johnson City
Mountain City
Russell County
Smyth County
Abingdon
'The vaccine baits have been proven safe in many species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats,' the USDA said in the release. 'Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the baits but are asked to leave them undisturbed should they encounter them. If contact with baits occurs, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap.'
According to the USDA, more than 400,000 and 230,000 baits will be distributed in Tennessee and Virginia, respectively.
ORV baiting usually takes place during the fall but was postponed in 2024 due to Hurricane Helene, the USDA said.
For more information, call 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-487-397) or click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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