What the raccoons don’t know is the morsels are actually rabies vaccines. The U.S. Department of Agriculture drops the rabies vaccine kibbles over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park every year in hopes of maintaining a rabies-free barrier. This barrier will help to prevent the spread of the disease from the eastern states where rabies is widespread to states with low outbreaks.

Aircraft will scatter baits that contain a liquid vaccine inside fishmeal coated plastic packets known to attract raccoons. Ground crews will distribute small cubed baits that consist of a compressed mixture of fishmeal and fish oil. When the raccoon bites into the bait, the sachet is ruptured allowing the vaccine to flow into the raccoon’s mouth and throat. Most of the baits will be gone within two weeks.

The USDA reports that the vaccine poses no threat to people or pets. USDA officials advise that people should not handle the baits, but if the baits drop in locations accessible to pets, the baits can be removed and disposed of using gloves or a towel to avoid getting the strong, fishy smell on their hands.

Four bats have tested positive for rabies over the past 15 years which is a different strain from the raccoon rabies. For more information on animal bait exposure and prevention or the raccoon oral rabies vaccination program in general, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/rabies or contact USDA toll free at 866.487.3297.