General Notice of Rabies Research and Control Operations for 2023

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) role is to manage and research rabies in terrestrial wildlife and we focus on two means of controlling rabies: distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits and trap-vaccinate-release of wildlife.

Aerial baiting consists of the distribution of baits containing oral rabies vaccine from airplanes or helicopters over large areas where terrestrial (non-bat) rabies is present. Vaccine baits may also be distributed by hand in urban areas where terrestrial rabies is present. Vaccine baits are distributed within an area of 50 kilometres surrounding positive cases for two years.

There are two strains of terrestrial rabies that pose a threat to Ontario: Arctic fox strain rabies (which occurs mostly in foxes and skunks in southwestern and far northern Ontario) which has not been detected in Ontario since 2018 and raccoon strain rabies (which occurs mostly in raccoons and skunks and is present along the border areas in New York State and southern Ontario) currently active in the St. Catharines area. Both strains can occur in any species of mammal.

Terrestrial animals are occasionally infected with bat strain rabies (presumably either from scavenging on dead bats or being bitten by a bat) which is widespread in approximately 5% of bats in Ontario. Each year in Ontario, typically one or two cases of terrestrial mammals infected with bat strain rabies are detected.

The trap-vaccinate-release program is used to immunize terrestrial wildlife in high-risk areas to help prevent the disease from spreading or becoming established in Ontario.

Planned MNRF activities for the 2023 season include:

• Hand-baiting in urban areas near where positive raccoon strain rabies cases have been found within Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and Norfolk, counties: July - September
• Aerial baiting in the St. Lawrence area in Frontenac, Leeds & Grenville and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry counties (on islands and a small area of mainland) and hand baiting in the city of Cornwall to prevent the spread of raccoon strain rabies from New York: August
• Large-scale aerial baiting within 50 kilometres of current positive cases (Brant, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and Norfolk, counties) to prevent the further spread of raccoon strain rabies in that area: August to mid-September
• Trap-vaccinate-release of raccoons, skunks and foxes in focused strategic areas in Hamilton, St. Catharines, Welland, Caistor Centre and Smithville areas: May to October
• Enhanced surveillance (testing of dead, sick wildlife) within 50 kilometres of known Arctic fox strain or raccoon strain rabies cases: throughout the year
• Rapid Response, if required, to any new confirmed rabies cases of fox or raccoon strain rabies outside or on the periphery of the surveillance area with a combination of baiting and trap-vaccinate-release

The MNRF is a leading agency in research of this deadly disease in Ontario. Ministry studies of wildlife movement, genetics and vaccine and bait development help ensure that Ontario’s rabies research and control program is based on the best science available.

It is necessary to continue rabies control programs and enhanced surveillance even when the number of rabies cases is low to prevent the spread of rabies to healthy wildlife populations and to protect wildlife from rabid animals that could enter Ontario across our borders. The province remains attentive to ensure any new outbreaks are detected early and responded to effectively.

Comments on rabies control programs may be directed to the contact person listed in this notice until October 15, 2023. Comments will also be accepted by e-mail at rabies@ontario.ca.

Other information

Through public meetings and consultation with health experts, municipal and regional officials, wildlife rehabilitators and other stakeholders, every regional health unit in the province developed a contingency plan for this deadly virus which is updated annually.