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USDA scattering rabies vaccines for wildlife in 13 states

This photo provided by the U.S. National Wildlife Research Center shows a USDA Wildlife Services employee taking a tissue sample from an anesthetized skunk on May 3, 2010. The sample was to be tested to see whether the animal had eaten enough rabies vaccine to be protected from the deadly virus. The agency is considering whether to OK a vaccine that Canada has approved to immunize skunks as well as raccoons. Skunks are the major reservoir for rabies in 21 states. (National Wildlife Research Center via AP) FILE - This photo taken Nov. 1, 2018, shows veterinarian Amy Keith giving Lincoln a rabies shot as Veterinary Nurse and Veterinarian Assistant Nate Johnson feed Lincoln cheese wiz at Valley West Veterinary Hospital in Charleston, W.Va. The U.S. government has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn't been found or isn't widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby. (Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP) FILE - Oral rabies vaccine bait that will be dropped by a state police helicopter from the New York State Police Aviation Unit in Albany and team members of the State Health Department is displayed during a rabies vaccine bait drop over the Northeastern part of the state during the New York State Department of Health Racoon Vaccination Project, Monday, Aug. 20, 2007. The U.S. government has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn't been found or isn't widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File) FILE - A tranquillized raccoon has its ear tagged by U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist Robert Acabbo in Grand Isle, Vt., Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. The U.S. government has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn't been found or isn't widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File) FILE - USDA wildlife biologist Erin Patrick holds fish-flavored packets of rabies vaccine before their distribution by helicopter Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport's Lovell Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. The U.S. government has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn't been found or isn't widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby. (Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) FILE - USDA wildlife specialist Will Guigou, right, and pilot Thomas Taylor prepare to distribute packets of baited rabies vaccine by helicopter from a container between Guigou's knees Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport's Lovell Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. The U.S. government has begun scattering millions of packets of oral rabies vaccine from helicopters and planes over 13 states from Maine to Alabama. The major aim is to keep raccoons from spreading their strain of the deadly virus to states where it hasn't been found or isn't widespread, said field trial coordinator Jordona Kirby. ( Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)