Families in Asheville and three nearby mountain towns may soon find small fishmeal-scented packets in their yards, parks and driveways. Starting Friday, Oct. 9, helicopters will drop oral rabies vaccine baits over greater Asheville, Burnsville, Mars Hill and Waynesville through Oct. 13, according to a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services news release issued Oct. 5. Low-flying airplanes will then cover 17 western counties from Oct. 15 to 22.
The baits are meant for raccoons, but children pick up odd objects and dogs love anything fishy. State officials say an intact bait will not harm people, pets, or wildlife, yet they want households to know what to do if a child or dog gets to one first.
