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WELLINGTON COUNTY – Ontario’s effort to control the spread of rabies through bait drops will resume this summer again.
An announcement from the province said from June 20 to mid-September, rabies vaccine bait will be distributed by hand in urban areas and dropped from the air in rural areas in southern Ontario including Wellington County.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry staff will focus on raccoon and skunk habitat such as bushes, green spaces and ravines where animals may forage. Baits are not distributed near schools, playgrounds or other areas where children are likely to be.
The khaki-green coloured bait is made of wax-fat and smells like marshmallow to attract animals. The bait are labelled as “do not eat” but it is not harmful to a person or pet if consumed by mistake although contacting a doctor or veterinarian as a precaution is recommended.
Raccoons, skunks and foxes that eat the bait develop immunity to rabies in about two weeks.
A press release noted the ministry has distributed over 7.5 million vaccine baits and the number of positive cases to drop by 95 per cent since 2016.
More information on rabies in Ontario can be found here.
