QUÉBEC, April 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Due to the recent increase in the number
of cases of raccoon rabies reported in Vermont—including one case
10 km from the Québec border—the Ministère de l'Environnement, de
la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des
Parcs will be distributing vaccine baits in 17 municipalities
in the Estrie and Montérégie regions from April 22 to 30,
2024. The aim of this vaccination operation is to limit the risk of
raccoon rabies being reintroduced into Québec. It will immunize
raccoons, skunks and foxes against raccoon rabies and help to
protect human health.
Department teams will cover an area of almost 660 km² to
manually distribute some 46,200 vaccine baits. Wooded areas, stream
banks, the periphery of agricultural fields and spaces near garbage
cans will be particularly targeted.
The 17 municipalities earmarked for vaccine bait
distribution this spring are: Bedford, Dunham, Frelighsburg, Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge, Pike River,
Saint-Armand, Sainte-Sabine, Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge, Stanbridge East, Stanbridge Station, Clarenceville, Henryville, Noyan, Saint-Alexandre, Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Saint-Sébastien and
Venise-en-Québec.
The vaccine bait used resembles a greenish ketchup packet or a
bite of khaki-green ravioli. It gives off a sweet smell that
attracts the targeted species. Its shell is designed to be weather
resistant. Thanks to its "camo" colour, once spread, the bait
blends in with the surroundings and is very difficult for humans to
spot.
Advice to residents during the
vaccination operations
- The vaccine baits are intended for wild animals. Avoid handling
them.
- The vaccine that the bait contains is safe both for human
beings and pets and the environment. It cannot under any
circumstances transmit rabies.
- While the vaccine baits are very safe, if you touch a broken
vaccine bait:
- use soap and water to wash your hands and any part of your body
that came into contact with the bait;
- call the number on the back of the bait or Info-Santé 811.
Consult a veterinarian if your pet eats any bait. It is very
important to note that, even if it has eaten a vaccine bait, your
pet cannot be considered vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies can be prevented by
adopting safe habits
- If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal or have come
into contact with its saliva, wash the wound with soap and water
for 10 to 15 minutes, even if it appears to be minor. Call
Info-Santé 811 immediately for advice on appropriate medical
care.
- Never approach an unknown wild or domestic animal, even if it
seems harmless.
- Never touch an animal carcass with your bare hands.
- Take steps to avoid attracting wild animals to your property
(e.g. keep your outdoor garbage cans out of reach of wildlife and
do not feed pet animals outdoors).
- Do not relocate nuisance animals or animals that appear to be
orphaned. Relocation can spread diseases such as rabies to other
areas.
- See a vet to have your pets vaccinated against rabies or if
they have been in contact with a wild animal that may carry the
disease.
- Report raccoons, skunks and foxes or animals that seem
disoriented, injured, unusually aggressive or paralysed by
contacting the 1-877-346-6763 or by filling the online form.
Quick facts:
- Rabies is a contagious, fatal disease that can infect all
mammals. It can be transmitted from infected animals to humans. In
addition to raccoon rabies, other variants of rabies are present in
Québec, among bats and, in northern Québec, among foxes. Caution is
advisable at all times and with all species of mammals.
- A plan to control raccoon rabies has been in force since 2006,
following the detection of the first case in Québec.
- The control plan's intervention measures are based on the
recommendations of an expert committee and are endorsed by an
interministerial committee comprising members of the Ministère de
la Santé et des Services sociaux, the Ministère de l'Agriculture,
des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation and the Ministère de
l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de
la Faune et des Parcs.
- Québec has been working with neighbouring American states and
Canadian provinces for many years. These joint concerted efforts
are aimed at eliminating raccoon rabies from northeastern
North America.
- The intervention measures carried out in Québec are determined
based on changes to the raccoon rabies situation in neighbouring
states. These measures are drawn from those set out in the raccoon
rabies emergency response plan, which seeks to rapidly delimit and
control the disease's spread.
Associated links:
- For more details on Raccoon rabies surveillance and control
operations
- Raccoon rabies control - Increased risk of raccoon rabies
introduction: public urged to be vigilant in at-risk areas.
- For a list of confirmed rabies cases in Vermont
Source and information:
Media relations
Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements
climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
relations.medias@environnement.gouv.qc.ca
Tel.: 418 521-3991
SOURCE Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les
changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs