Residents across northwest Georgia may begin noticing low-flying aircraft this month as the U.S. Department of Agriculture moves ahead with its annual oral rabies vaccination campaign, including bait distribution in Chattooga County.

The latest schedule calls for helicopter operations to begin around Wednesday, October 7, in several northwest Georgia cities, followed by a much larger fixed-wing airplane operation beginning around October 20.

More than 500,000 oral rabies vaccine baits are expected to be distributed across more than 7,000 square kilometers of northwest Georgia during the October operation.

The vaccination area includes all or portions of Chattooga, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Floyd, Gordon, Whitfield, Bartow, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns and Union counties.

Helicopter baiting beginning around October 7 is planned primarily around more populated areas, including Dalton, LaFayette, Rome, Calhoun, Fort Oglethorpe, Chickamauga and Tunnel Hill.

For rural areas, including portions of the larger Chattooga County vaccination zone, specially equipped airplanes will distribute baits as part of the fixed-wing operation expected to begin around October 20. That portion of the operation is expected to last about a week, depending on weather and other conditions.

The program targets raccoons and other wildlife and is designed to prevent the westward spread of raccoon rabies.

The baits contain the RABORAL V-RG oral rabies vaccine. They are small packets containing liquid vaccine and are coated with a fish-scented attractant designed to encourage raccoons to eat them.

Residents who find one of the baits are encouraged to leave it alone so wildlife can consume it. If an intact bait must be moved, USDA recommends wearing gloves or using a towel and moving it into nearby woods or brush.

The vaccine does not cause rabies, and USDA says humans and pets cannot contract rabies from the baits. Dogs that eat several baits could experience a temporary upset stomach, but officials say there are no expected long-term health effects.

Anyone who comes into direct contact with the liquid vaccine inside a damaged packet should wash the affected area with soap and warm water.

Pilots and crews distributing the vaccine use equipment that allows bait drops to be stopped when aircraft pass over roads, buildings, large bodies of water and other locations where baits should not be released.

The northwest Georgia operation is part of a much larger USDA effort along the eastern United States aimed at maintaining a vaccination barrier against the spread of raccoon rabies.

USDA has conducted oral rabies vaccination programs since the 1990s, distributing millions of baits in selected states each year.

Residents should not be alarmed if they see low-flying aircraft over parts of northwest Georgia during the operation later this month.

Questions about the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program can be directed to USDA Wildlife Services at 1-866-487-3297.