Ontario – The Ontario government is continuing its vaccine bait drop program to fight the outbreak of raccoon strain rabies that began in 2015. From June 19 until the end of September, rabies vaccine baits will be distributed by hand in urban areas of Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara Norfolk and Cornwall.
Baiting will focus on wildlife habitat, such as bushes, green spaces and ravines where animals may forage, or along fence lines, hedges and large culverts. Baits are not distributed near schools, playgrounds, or where children are likely to be present. In urban greenspaces and rural areas, aircraft will be used to drop baits. Baiting by aircraft will start August 12 along the St. Lawrence in Frontenac, Leeds & Grenville and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and starting mid August in Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and Norfolk. All baiting dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Baits help to immunize most raccoons, skunks and foxes that eat them. Baiting is an important part of our rabies control plan – one of the most successful in North America. Since 2015, the ministry has distributed more than 8 million vaccine baits and tested almost 30,000 wildlife samples. This action has contained the original outbreak to within 65 kilometres of the original case found in Hamilton and the number of positive cases has dropped by 90 per cent since the outbreak peaked in 2016.
The khaki-green coloured bait is made of wax-fat and smells like marshmallow to attract animals. A label with a toll-free telephone number (1-888-574-6656) and the message “Do not eat” are printed on the bait, and a plastic package containing the liquid rabies vaccine is embedded in the centre. If found, the bait should not be touched, but left for raccoons, skunks and foxes to consume.