Low-flying planes and helicopters will soon begin dropping rabies vaccines in Southwest Alabama in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus among raccoons and other wildlife.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced that over 200,000 “plastic packets of vaccine coated with an oily, fish-scented substance” will be distributed throughout a 1,599 square-mile zone that will include most of the coastal peninsula and parts of Spanish Fort, Fairhope, Daphne and Foley.

The effort will take place from Jan. 22-Jan. 31 and will also include vehicle distribution of the vaccine in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. Each vaccine packet will be marked with a toll-free number (1-877-722-6725) for people to call for assistance or information if they find or come in contact with a bait.

The USDA recommends that anyone who finds a bait leave it alone to allow wildlife to find it; but if one is found intact and out in the open, it can be thrown into a wooded area or somewhere wildlife is likely to find it.

If it’s necessary to handle the vaccine, people should wear gloves or use a towel and wash their hands afterward.

The federal agency also recommends that pet owners should not attempt to take vaccine sachets away from their pets, as they may be bitten in the process and exposed to the vaccine. The vaccine is not harmful to pets, according to the USDA, but ingestion of a large number may cause a temporarily upset stomach.

In October, the USDA along with the Alabama Department of Public Health distributed vaccines throughout the northern part of the state. Sixteen states nationwide are part of this program to reduce raccoon rabies and the associated public health risks from rabies exposures.