Fight against raccoon rabies – Maintaining surveillance and calling for public vigilance

Despite the fact that the chance of a return of raccoon rabies in Québec has been declining appreciably given that 2015, the Montérégie and Estrie regions keep on to be considered locations at possibility of reintroduction since of their proximity to the circumstances detected in the United States every 12 months. Enhanced surveillance operations, maintained in 2022, are an productive and sufficient measure in the continuation of the fight against raccoon rabies in Québec.

In buy to make certain appropriate surveillance and to detect rabies immediately, studies from the general public stay the very best way to discover impacted wildlife. We inspire citizens to report raccoons, skunks, and foxes that are by now lifeless or appear disoriented, injured, abnormally intense or paralyzed by calling 1-877-346-6763 or by finishing the on the internet sort Québec.ca/raccoonrabies.

Beware of wildlife motion

The Division would also like to emphasize that vigilance ought to be exercised with respect to the voluntary or involuntary motion of animals that might carry rabies, notably raccoons. In December 2021, a raccoon transported from North Carolina by a transportation truck without the need of the driver’s know-how was documented and recovered in Estrie as element of improved raccoon rabies surveillance. Luckily, the animal did not have rabies. On the other hand, this celebration reminds us that the danger of translocation of rabies-bearing animals is true, even though conditions of raccoon rabies in wildlife are significantly from Québec. The the latest working experience in southern Ontario, which has been dealing with an outbreak of raccoon rabies given that 2015 next the introduction by translocation of an contaminated raccoon, highlights this chance. Thus, a contact for vigilance is issued to the full population, particularly people functioning in the transport and unloading of merchandise from other provinces or international locations, to report any wild animals discovered in a auto (truck, educate, boat, and so forth.).

Wellness and security reminders

• If you have been bitten or scratched by an animal or have arrive into make contact with with its saliva, wash the wound with cleaning soap and water for at minimum 10 minutes, even if it would seem small. Promptly contact Data-Santé 811 to make certain a proper comply with-up.
• In no way solution an unfamiliar wild or domestic animal, even if it appears to be inoffensive.
• Consider measures to keep away from attracting wild animals to your home (e.g. putting your outside garbage out of animals’ access and steering clear of feeding animals outside the house of the property).
• Keep away from moving troublesome wildlife due to the fact you could unfold ailments this kind of as rabies to other territories.
• Consult with a veterinarian to get your pet vaccinated in opposition to rabies or if your pet has been in get hold of with a wild animal that could transmit rabies.

Highlights

• Rabies is a contagious and deadly sickness that impacts all mammals. Consequently, it can be transmitted to people by infected animals. In addition to raccoon rabies, other variants of rabies flow into in Québec, like in bats and, in northern Québec, in foxes. Thus, caution need to be exercised at all times and with all mammal species.
• The Approach to battle raccoon rabies has been in influence considering that 2006, pursuing the discovery of the initially raccoon rabies circumstance in Québec.
• Québec has been operating with neighbouring U.S. states and provinces for quite a few a long time. These joint and concerted endeavours purpose to reduce raccoon rabies from northeastern North The united states.
• In the occasion of the detection of raccoon rabies in Québec or in the vicinity of its borders, the deployment of a contingency system is defined and will allow for a speedy reaction to consist of and limit the distribute of the condition.

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Information:
Media relations
Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
[email protected]
Tel.: 418-521-3875

Supply Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs