WASHINGTON - The federal government is about to begin dropping more than one million doses of oral rabies vaccine in a region that includes the Valley.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services program will begin its annual distribution of rabies vaccine baits in select areas in the eastern United States to prevent the spread of raccoon rabies.

The USDA says the North Lima, OH, project will cover parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia and distribute more than 1,007,000 ORV baits.

Distribution of the baits will begin August 18 across rural areas by airplane and in suburban or urban areas by helicopter or vehicle.

ORV baits are coated with a fishmeal attractant and are packaged in one-inch square cubes or two-inch plastic sachets.

According to the USDA, the RABORAL V-RG® vaccine is safe for more than 60 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats.

Humans and pets cannot get rabies from contact with the bait but should leave them undisturbed if they encounter them.

Dogs that eat a large number of baits may experience an upset stomach, but no long-term health risks, according to a media release from USDA.

If adults or children come in contact with baits, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap.

Rabies is caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system in mammals. Signs suggestive of rabies include unusual aggressive or calm and “friendly” behavior, an inability to eat or drink, balance problems, circling, seizures, coma and finally death.

While rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, it also is preventable. Human exposures can be successfully remedied if medical attention is sought immediately after exposure.