General Notice of Rabies Research and Control Operations for 2024

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

Baiting operations consists of the distribution of baits containing oral rabies vaccine (ONRAB) from airplanes or helicopters over large areas where terrestrial (non-bat) rabies is present. In urban areas, vaccine baits are distributed by hand in urban areas where terrestrial rabies is present. Vaccine baits are distributed within an area of 50 km surrounding positive cases for two years.

There are two strains of terrestrial rabies that currently pose a threat to Ontario: Arctic fox strain rabies (which occurs mostly in foxes and skunks in southwestern and far northern Ontario) 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). Both strains can occur in any species of mammal.

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

Planned MNRF activities or the 2024 season include:

• Hand-baiting in urban areas near where positive raccoon strain rabies cases have been found within Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton and Niagara counties: late June - October
• Large-scale aerial baiting within 50 km of current positive cases (Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton and Niagara counties) to prevent the further spread of raccoon strain rabies in that area: August to mid-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
• Trap-vaccinate-release of raccoons, skunks and foxes in focused strategic areas in St. Catharines: May to October
• Enhanced surveillance (testing of dead, sick wildlife) within 50 km 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. 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 18, 2024. 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.