Our colleagues at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry have shared updated statistics for raccoon strain rabies. It’s important that Burlington and Oakville residents keep an eye out for raccoons encroaching on their property. With baby season upon us, raccoons love to get into home attics. They’ll cause damage, unsanitary conditions and of course, we’d like to eliminate the risk of rabies spread.
If you spot a raccoon(s) demonstrating uncharacteristic behavour, they may be rabies or disease infected. DO NOT approach these raccoons (or skunks, who may be carrying the raccoon rabies strain) and request help. As Burlington, Oakville and Milton’s wildlife removal experts, we’d be happy to safely address your nuisance animal problems. Here’s what the Ministry is reporting:
“We remain at 293 cases of raccoon strain and 7 cases of fox strain rabies in Ontario to date”. The good news that there are no new cases in the last week reported.
Summary of Raccoon Strain Rabies (since Dec 2015):
Raccoon strain rabies: 293 cases
- Halton: 10 cases
- Hamilton: 231 cases
- Haldimand: 20 cases
- Brant: 17 cases
- Niagara: 15 cases
Raccoon Strain Species Breakdown:
- Raccoons: 199 cases
- Skunks: 90 cases
- Fox: 1 case
- Cat: 2 cases
- Llama: 1 case
Fox Strain Breakdown:
- Bovine: 5 cases
- Skunk: 2 cases
- Huron County: 2 cases
- Perth County: 5 cases
Number of DRIT tests: > 5,000
Number of baits distributed since April 2016; > 1,600,000
Have questions or need help getting rid of raccoons or skunks suspected of carrying disease (or just being a nuisance!)? Contact Regional Wildlife Services now!
