Helicopters to drop wildlife rabies vaccine over parts of Autauga and Elmore Counties | News

PRATTVILLE, AL (WSFA) - A Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture says helicopters will be used to drop rabies vaccine packets in part of the River Region this week.

City of Prattville officials were informed Monday morning that the USDA/APHIS will be using helicopters to drop packets of rabies vaccine over parts of Elmore and Autauga Counties in the Prattville area this week as part of the National Rabies Management Program to fight the spread of the virus.

USDA/APHIS Wildlife Biologist Dana Johnson told officials that the virus is an issue predominately with the raccoon population, it has also been known to be found in the fox population. Johnson explained the air-dropped vaccine will be wrapped in fish meal. Animals will be attracted to the fish meal, when they bite into it, they will break the pouches that contain the vaccine. According to the USDA website, 81,000 baits are expected to be released in and around the Prattville area

This oral vaccine isn't dangerous to pets if they ingest it, however, if you come into contact with the baits, just move the baits to a wooded area and make sure to wash your hands afterwards.

If you see wildlife that seems sick or is acting abnormally, contact Johnson at 334-844-8029. Any wild animal that allows you to approach it should raise an alarm.

For more information, see the full release on the City of Prattville's website.