Raccoons are the primary wildlife rabies vector in Alabama, with recent 2025/2026 cases confirmed in Baldwin, Jackson, and Jefferson counties. Wildlife officials are warning Alabama residents to watch for oral rabies vaccine baits that will be distributed from the air. The effort is part of the United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services program. Low-flying airplanes and helicopters will be used in the vaccination area. Residents are being asked to handle the baits carefully, if at all.
The distribution is set to begin Sunday, January 25, 2026. The USDA said baits will be spread throughout the vaccination area, also called the bait zone. The baits are being used as part of the Wildlife Services Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.
Officials recommend that anyone who finds bait leave it alone so wildlife can find it. If a bait is intact and out in the open where children or pets play, it can be tossed deeper into the woods or brush. People should wear gloves or use a towel when handling bait and wash their hands afterward…