Tennessee officials will drop raccoon bait spiked with marshmallow-flavored RABIES VACCINE

A round of rabies vaccines is going to be sent out to raccoons in the southeastern United States with a sugary twist. 

The Department of Agriculture and Wildlife Services, along with the Tennessee Department of Health, are air dropping rabies vaccines to the critters wrapped in fishmeal, while field testing a marshmallow-flavored vaccine. 

Low-flying helicopters will make the drops in the Volunteer State from October 3 to October 15 along with some of their bordering states, including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. 

The oral vaccines are meant to stop the spread of the deadly virus in the wild raccoon community in the area, according to ABC 24. 

Dr. John Dunn, Tennessee’s State Epidemiologist, said ‘Controlling raccoon rabies keeps people, pets, and livestock safe. We’re pleased to partner with USDA Wildlife Services in this program to reduce rabies in wildlife and protect the community.’

A round of rabies vaccines is going to be sent out to raccoons in the southeastern United States with a sugary twist

The Department of Agriculture and Wildlife Services, along with the Tennessee Department of Health, are air dropping rabies vaccines to the critters wrapped in fishmeal, while field testing a marshmallow-flavored vaccine

The oral vaccines are meant to stop the spread of the deadly virus in the wild raccoon community in the area

Low-flying helicopters will make the drops in the Volunteer State from October 3 to October 15 along with some of their bordering states, including Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia

There will be USDA warnings on all vaccines in an attempt to keep people and especially children away from them

The USDA is currently testing the experimental, marshmallow-flavored vaccine and will be distributed in other parts of the Appalachians.  

This particular vaccine, known as Onrab, has been tested for several years to determine environmental impact and has been tested on raccoons in Ohio and has been successful.  

The USDA cautions people that while the bait packets are safe, people should take precautions – removal from areas where pets can eat them, confining pets who do find them – if they see them.

While one won’t harm your pet if they eat them, experts say that multiple could upset its stomach and that pet owners should not try to take it out of their pet’s mouth to avoid potentially being bitten. 

There will be USDA warnings on all vaccines in an attempt to keep people and especially children away from them.