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Raccoon Rabies - Frontline Defense
The summer of 1999 saw the advent of raccoon
rabies virus into Ontario. The first
identified case of mid-Atlantic raccoon virus
strain of rabies in Canada was found about 10
kilometres north of the Canada/US border in
the Maynard area. Upon confirmation of the
strain of rabies, the Health Unit implemented
their Raccoon Rabies - Strategic Plan that was
developed in 1994; the Ministry of Natural
Resources activated their Point Infection
Control Plan. Within 24 hours, the Health
Unit, the Ministry of Natural Resources,
Ministry of Health, and the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency - Animal Health Division,
were responding to the first case of raccoon
rabies in Canada.
Raccoon rabies is spread mainly by the raccoon’s
saliva. The Health Unit is the first agency
you contact in all cases of human involvement
with rabies or rabid animals. An investigation
is conducted within 18 hours to assess animal
to human bites.
In 1999, four positive cases of raccoons with
the mid-Atlantic strain of the virus were
found. After investigating each incident, the
Health Unit concluded that there was no
significant human exposure.
The Health Unit also plays a major role in the
education of the public in regards to rabies,
as well as enforcing the mandatory vaccination
of all cats and dogs. After the first positive
raccoon was identified, the Health Unit issued
a press release instructing individuals to
contact the Health Unit if they had health
issues pertaining to raccoon rabies. This
generated 152 calls.
In response to public demand, the Health Unit
was able to provide cost reduced rabies
vaccination clinics in co-operation with local
veterinarians and the Leeds, Grenville M.P.P.
This was in addition to the annual clinics
held in May. A total of 866 cats and dogs were
vaccinated at this time.
The Health Unit will continue to monitor all
rabies in our area and remain an active
participant in a working group comprised of
inter-ministry agencies as long as rabies
remains a threat to the public’s health.
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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