Rabies vaccine bait drop taking place across Southwestern Ontario

Ontario will continue with one of the most successful rabies eradication programs in North America by distributing 1.3 million baits containing rabies vaccine this month.

The vaccine will control rab­ies in skunks and foxes and help keep Ontario free of rac­coon rabies. Baits will be dis­tributed throughout south­west­ern Ontario.

The flavoured baits im­mu­nize most skunks, foxes, and raccoons that eat them. Baits are small and khaki green, with a toll-free rabies hotline num­ber stamped on them.

If anyone sees the baits, they are asked to leave them undisturbed.

In 2008, there were 79 rab­ies cases in Ontario, down from 106 in 2007. Almost all cases were in southern Ontario. Ontario has developed an oral rabies vaccine for raccoons and skunks that is proving to be the most effective in North Am­erica.

Ontario has reduced rabies cases in the province by over 98 per cent since rabies control programs began 20 years ago.

Ontario has been free of raccoon rabies since September 2005.

Exposure to a bait is not harmful to people or pets. However, if people or a pet come in contact with the vac­cine in the bait, the MNR recommends contacting a doc­tor or veterinarian.