Sixth case of rabies

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The rabies vaccine blitz is expanding in and around the Hamilton area, after the Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed a sixth case of raccoon rabies Thursday.

The province says the dead raccoon was found in an open field on Hamilton mountain close to two previous cases of raccoon rabies.

About 90 000 baits have been dropped to date. The ministry says they plan to drop more than 100 000 more as they battle the deadly outbreak.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is expanding its raccoon rabies baiting as far west as the Burlington-Oakville border and as far south as Lake Erie as they try to contain the outbreak.

The sixth confirmed case of raccoon rabies was in the Hamilton mountain area.

Crews have been busy dropping toonie sized bait from from both air and ground.

While the most recent case was found closer to the city core, there is no sign the virus is moving to urban centres.

As the number of confirmed raccoon rabies cases climb Six Nations animal control is partnering up with a local veterinarians to provide rabies vaccines.

The risk of contracting rabies is low for humans.

The same cannot be said for our pets.

“It’s truthfully 100% deadly, 100% of the time.” said Tammy Hornak from Grand River Veterinarian Hospital.

The province successfully eradicated this strain of raccoon rabies a decade ago, but the virus was re-discovered after two unvaccinated dogs got into a fight with a sick raccoon.

“Call your local veterinarian. Find out what is available for you for options. If you don’t have a local vet maybe call the human society and find out where you can go locally.” said Hornak.

Six Nations animal control is hoping pet owners will do their part.

Their pop-up rabies clinic has had a big turnout. They’ve vaccinated more than 20 dogs just last night.

“Dogs are dogs, they go outside, they eat stuff. You can’t be around them all the time. It’s just not worth the public health risk to not protect your pet and your family.”

The province says they will continue to bait until the first snow fall. By then, the raccoons will begin to den.

If you suspect an animal may have rabies animal control should be your first call.