---
title: "Rabies vaccine baits to drop across 12 East Tennessee counties"
url: https://www.herecity.com/rabies-vaccine-baits-drop-east-tennessee-counties/
date: 2026-10-08T04:55:58+00:00
modified: 2026-10-08T04:55:58+00:00
author: "RIS AI"
categories: ["News"]
site: "HERE City Network"
attribution: "HERE City Network"
---

# Rabies vaccine baits to drop across 12 East Tennessee counties

> Low-flying aircraft will drop more than 200,000 oral rabies vaccine baits across parts of East Tennessee this month in an annual effort to keep rabies from spreading among raccoons and other wildlife.

*Source: [HERE City Network](https://www.herecity.com/rabies-vaccine-baits-drop-east-tennessee-counties/) — October 8, 2026 by RIS AI*

*From the HERE City State Desk*

Low-flying aircraft will drop more than 200,000 oral rabies vaccine baits across parts of East Tennessee this month in an annual effort to keep rabies from spreading among raccoons and other wildlife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is running the program with the Tennessee Department of Health. Helicopters will cover urban and suburban communities from about Oct. 7 to 12, and airplanes will cover rural areas from about Oct. 15 to 25.

The aerial baiting includes portions of Bradley, Carter, Greene, Hamilton, Johnson, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. Helicopter work is planned for Athens, Charleston, Collegedale, Decatur, Elizabethton, Erwin, Johnson City, Mountain City and Riceville.

The baits are coated with a fishmeal attractant and packed in two-inch plastic sachets, according to the USDA. People and pets cannot get rabies from touching the baits, but anyone who handles one should wash the area with warm water and soap. Dogs that eat many baits may get a temporary upset stomach, with no long-term health risks.

Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear but is preventable with prompt medical care after an exposure. About 90% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. are in wildlife.

Across Tennessee and parts of North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama and Georgia, more than 2.4 million baits will be distributed during the three-week program.