New Brunswick has not had a confirmed case of rabies in raccoons, skunks or foxes in the past two years, thanks to its Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program.
The provincial government will continue prevention and control measures in western New Brunswick this summer.
“Our annual Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program is important as we continue work to prevent and control the spread of rabies in our province,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Margaret Johnson in a news release.
“Our efforts are making a difference, but we must remain vigilant to prevent rabies from reaching domestic animals or humans.”
Bait containing the rabies vaccine will be distributed by hand until early August in the following areas:
- St. Stephen
- Saint Andrews
- St. George
- Ministers Island
- Elmsville
- Utopia
- Pennfield
- Seeleys Cove
- Blacks Harbour
- Campobello Island
- McAdam
- Woodstock
- Centreville
- Waweig
- Woodstock First Nation
Government says it could extend the campaign to ensure newly identified risk areas are covered. Bait will also be distributed by air in the southwestern part of New Brunswick from Aug. 9 to 12.
The vaccine poses little risk to humans or domestic animals, but the province said any vaccine packets found in the woods should be left alone.
People can take steps to protect themselves, their families, pets and livestock, such as keeping a safe distance from wildlife, refraining from relocating wildlife, ensuring pet vaccinations are up to date and seeking medical attention if they have been bitten or scratched by an animal that may be rabid.
The public can also report animals with rabies-like symptoms to Tele-Care 811.
Information on rabies, including a surveillance map of confirmed cases, is provided by the provincial government here.
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