QUÉBEC, Aug. 6, 2024
/CNW/ - Due to the increase in the number of cases of raccoon
rabies reported in Vermont since
March 2024 and their proximity to
Québec, the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les
changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs will be
distributing vaccine bait in the Estrie and Montérégie regions from
August 7 to 24, 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, which will help to protect human
health. Rabies is a contagious, fatal disease that can infect all
mammals, so it can be transmitted from infected animals to
humans.
Depending on the target area, vaccine baits will be air-dropped
from planes or distributed manually.
The vaccination operation will take place in two stages:
- From August 7 to 12, 2024, some
212,900 rabies vaccine baits will be air-dropped from planes flying
at low altitude over an area of 1,934 km2, mostly over
forest habitats. In all, 21 municipalities in the Estrie region and
11 in the Montérégie region are earmarked for this operation.
- From August 10 to 24, 2024, bait
will be manually distributed mainly in agricultural areas and near
homes, targeting locations where racoons, skunks and foxes can
lurk. These include wooded areas, stream banks and around garbage
cans. The Ministère's teams will cover an area of 2,092
km2 to distribute 146,700 vaccine baits. For this
operation, 11 municipalities in the Estrie region and 31 in the
Montérégie region have been earmarked.
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 withstand a
wide range of weather conditions and the impact of airdrops. Thanks
to its "camo" colour, once spread, the bait blends in with the
environment and is very difficult for humans to spot.
Municipalities earmarked for the vaccination
operation
The 24 municipalities in the Estrie region targeted for
this summer's distribution of vaccine bait are Abercorn, Bedford, Bolton-Ouest, Brigham, Brome, Bromont, Cowansville, Dunham, East
Farnham, Farnham,
Frelighsburg, Granby, Lac-Brome, Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge, Pike River,
Potton, Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby, Saint-Armand, Saint-Ignace-de-Stanbridge, Sainte-Sabine, Shefford, Stanbridge
East, Stanbridge Station
and Sutton.
The 35 municipalities in the Montérégie region targeted for this
summer's distribution of vaccine bait are Ange-Gardien, Carignan, Clarenceville, Chambly, Hemmingford, Henryville, Lacolle, La
Prairie, Marieville,
Mont-Saint-Grégoire, Napierville,
Noyan, Richelieu, Rougemont, Saint-Alexandre, Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Saint-Blaise-sur-Richelieu, Saint-Césaire, Saint-Cyprien-de-Napierville,
Sainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir, Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois,
Sainte-Brigide-d'Iberville,
Sainte-Clotilde, Saint-Édouard,
Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur,
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,
Saint-Mathieu, Saint-Michel, Saint-Patrice-de-Sherrington, Saint-Paul-d'Abbotsford, Saint-Paul-de-l'Île-aux-Noix, Saint-Philippe, Saint-Sébastien, Saint-Valentin and Venise-en-Québec.
Advice to residents during the vaccination operation
- The vaccine bait is intended for wild animals, so avoid
handling it.
- The vaccine contained in the bait is considered safe for
humans, domestic animals and the environment, and cannot transmit
rabies under any circumstances.
- While vaccine bait is 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 has eaten bait and you have
questions or concerns. It is very important to note that even if it
has eaten 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 in the Estrie and Montérégie
regions that appear sick, disoriented, unusually aggressive,
paralyzed or found dead by calling 1-877-346-6763 or by filling out
the report form.
Quick facts:
- 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 Canadian provinces and
neighbouring American states 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 in Québec
- 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