Raccoon rabies: what to look out for as baiting continues

After the sixth discovery of raccoon rabies in Hamilton Wednesday, the province is stepping up its efforts to eliminate the virus.

But what should the public look out for as more and more bait is dropped across the region? 

First, it's important to keep in mind that the new discovery should not increase alarm for the city, says Chris Davies, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry's (MNRF) manager of wildlife research.

The newest case was discovered closer to the city than the previous, but that does not suggest the virus is moving closer to the city. The province has also baited extensively any areas within four kilometres of a rabies discovery, meaning they will not be adding more bait to most parts of the city.

• READ MORE: 6th case of rabies discovered, plan to stop outbreak expands
• READ MORE: Province dropping rabies vaccine from the sky above Hamilton

The bait, pictured above, is being scattered all across southern Ontario, from Oakville, past Haldimand County, to Lake Erie.

They're about the size of a toonie, and will be dropped in varying densities based on proximity to one of the six discoveries. Each bait contains a small package filled with a rabies vaccine that is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Exposure to the bait is not harmful to people or pets. 

Prior to Thursday's drop, the province had dropped 10,000 baits by hand, 30,000 by helicopter and 50,000 by plane, said Davies.

The province uses the various methods based on population density. Because the bait has a significant size and weight to it, they cannot drop them in areas with houses or people simply because it poses a safety risk, said Davies. Those places are reserved for hand-baiting.

Areas with sparser populations are baited using aerial methods, using plane or helicopter. Planes drop the bait at a faster, more sweeping rate than helicopters, and tend to be used over forests, said Davies.

The ministry digital software to get real-time plots of where they can drop bait, and where bait has already been dropped. This allows them to plan their drops, which includes avoiding houses and farms.

Livestock, pets

Davies said that while people should always be on alert for animals affected by rabies, pets can exhibit symptoms of rabies without actually carrying the virus.

Distemper is a disease that has similar symptoms to rabies but requires different treatments. Davies said whenever a rabies outbreak like this occurs, the public starts to look for symptoms of rabies. Public health units get increased call volumes from people concerned about rabies if they see animals acting strangely.

Still, the ministry said the best course of action to to get pets vaccinated against rabies, and to stay away from unknown pets.

You can learn more about what to look out by visiting Hamilton's public health page, which outlines the virus and provides up to date information on any outbreaks in the Hamilton area.