Rabies vaccine bait dropped near Ontario-U.S. borders

Rabies Info
– Freezing does not kill the virus in dead animals
– Rabies is almost always fatal
– If you encounter a rabid animal you are encouraged to call Telehealth Ontario 1-888-797-0000
– Pre-exposure rabies vaccine is not covered by OHIP
– According to Public Health Canada 24 people have died of rabies in Canada
*Information from the MNRF

The province is ramping up efforts to immunize wild animals in Ontario after raccoons in New York near the Ontario border were found to be rabid.

More than 100,000 pieces of bait containing the rabies vaccine have been distributed across Ontario particularly along in the Niagara area and in Cornwall near the American border.

The bait is enclosed in a teal green polyester container about the size of a toonie.
While the vaccine does not pose a threat to humans or domestic pets, should you come into contact with the bait the MNRF encourages you to take precautionary measures and contact a veterinarian or physician.

In Ontario there have been a number of instances of wild animals contracting rabies. Recently a bat from the Brighton area tested positive for the disease.

For more information please visit the MNRF site.

About the Author: Megan McPhaden

Hello, I am a multimedia journalist with a passion for travel and adventure. I hail from the GTA and spend weekends enjoying the great outdoors in the Kawartha's and Southwestern Ontario. I share my time between London, Pickering and now Peterborough.