New raccoon rabies cases in Hamilton

[projekktor id=’22411′]

Raccoon strain rabies is circulating in the local population, with four cases now confirmed in Hamilton.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is now expanding its rabies vaccine drop from the original area around the Red Hill Valley, Lakeshore, Mud Street and Fruitland Road, to the south west side of the city along Haldibrook Road, Glancaster/Upper Paradise and Woodburn Road.

Hamilton public health is warning people to say away from raccoons and get their pets vaccinated.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been busy for two days now distributing the rabies vaccine bait in Hamilton. Yesterday by foot and truck, and today the ministry took to the air to combat the deadly disease.

Distributing the bait is usually done once a year in the summer.

“It’s unusual we’re doing this in December but with such warm weather we do have to respond because the animals are still active.” said Beverly Stevenson.

Since Friday, animal services has picked up 14 dead raccoons. The Canadian food inspection agency tested them and four were positive for rabies. The ministry began distributing rabies vaccine bait in Hamilton Tuesday and took to the air to drop the vaccine onto agricultural areas today.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will be distributing about 7000 pieces of bait by helicopter and will be covering 24 square kilometers.

“it is a concern because raccoons interact with both pets and people, they go through our garbage bins and they live under our sheds. They’ll eat the dog and cat food we leave out on the porch.” said Stevenson.

Two dogs and a rabid raccoon picked up by Animal Control got into a fight Friday. Those dogs are now in quarantine.

Hamilton’s public health department says if you suspect a raccoon has rabies, call the city of Hamilton immediately and avoid all contact with the sick animal.

The ministry says raccoon rabies hasn’t been seen in this province for 10 years but it’s confident they’ll quickly put a stop to the spread of rabies. The bait has proven to be successful in the past.

“We’d test the blood of the animal to see if they’d become immunized against rabies and from that we’ve established that 60 to 70% of the population does become immunized against rabies.”

Public health is stressing the importance of having your pets vaccinated to protect them from getting rabies. It also suggests you keep pets supervised and avoid contact with wildlife which means don’t feed them.

And if you find bait on your property leave it there. Or if it’s somewhere inappropriate and you need to move it, it’s suggested you move it by putting a plastic bag over your hand so your scent doesn’t get on the bait and put it in a location where raccoons like to visit, such as under decks, near sheds, trees or other places they may seek shelter as the weather gets colder.

It’s not harmful to pets and people but if ingested it’s recommended you see a vet or doctor just as a precaution.