HCSO Notified by USDA Rabies Prevention Will begin on Monday, September 26, 2016

Hamilton County, TN – The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office has been notified by the USDA that beginning on Monday, September 26th through October 22nd, they will be performing rabies vaccination throughout Hamilton County and the surrounding counties for raccoons.

The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health inspection Service, Wildlife Services (USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services), and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), supported by other state and federal agencies, are continuing to implement a program to immunize wild raccoons for rabies with a goal to stop the spread of raccoon rabies in Tennessee.

The oral rabies vaccine is Raboral V-RG is placed inside a fishmeal block or coated with fishmeal. The block and or the coating is made with fishmeal and oil that is known to attract raccoons. Fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft will distribute the vaccine. Raccoons that eat the vaccine-laced bait will become immune to rabies.

The process will last (barring bad weather) (26) days.

For more information, please contact the USDA or see attached USDA Press Release and related documents.