Ontario announces rabies vaccine bait drop program from July 20 through mid-September
Hand-distributed and aerial baits will protect communities in Cornwall, Niagara, Thousand Islands, and Johnstown regions.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Ontario government is beginning its annual rabies vaccine bait drop program to protect communities from the spread of raccoon and fox variant rabies.
From July 20 until mid-September, rabies oral vaccine baits will be distributed by hand in select areas, including the City of Cornwall, Niagara Region, Thousand Islands, and Johnstown. In urban areas, baits will focus on wildlife habitats such as bushes, green spaces, and ravines where animals may forage, and along fence lines, hedges, and large culverts. Baits will not be distributed near schools, playgrounds, or where children are likely to be present.
In rural areas, baits will be distributed by aircraft. Boats will be used in parts of the Thousand Islands region. Aerial baiting is expected to begin in September in areas along the St. Lawrence River, including Wolfe Island, Thousand Islands, Gananoque, and Cornwall. All baiting dates are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Most raccoons, skunks, and foxes that consume the baits develop immunity to rabies. The baits are khaki-green coloured with a wax-fat outer coating that smells like marshmallow to attract animals. A label with the toll-free number 1-888-574-6656 and the message "Do not eat" are printed on each bait. If found, baits should not be touched but left for raccoons, skunks, and foxes to consume.
After two years with no detected cases of raccoon and fox rabies, Ontario is moving to a prevention and surveillance approach. Since 2015, the province has distributed more than ten million vaccine baits and tested over 37,000 wildlife samples, resulting in the elimination of both raccoon and fox variant rabies from southern Ontario.
By the numbers
When does Ontario's rabies vaccine bait drop program run?
From July 20 through mid-September, Ontario distributes rabies oral vaccine baits by hand in urban areas and by aircraft in rural areas across Cornwall, Niagara Region, Thousand Islands, and Johnstown.
How many vaccine baits has Ontario distributed since 2015?
Ontario has distributed more than ten million vaccine baits since 2015, along with testing over 37,000 wildlife samples.
What do the rabies vaccine baits look like?
The baits are khaki-green coloured with a wax-fat outer coating that smells like marshmallow to attract animals, and each bait is labelled with the toll-free number 1-888-574-6656 and the message 'Do not eat'.
