MNR making rabies vaccine drops in Cambridge Tuesday
Posted Aug 16, 2022 04:00:00 PM.
Planes were seen flying low to the ground today in Cambridge as the Ministry of Natural Resources(MNR) tries to protect people and animals against rabies.
The planes were dropping thousands of small tablets with a rabies vaccine, in hopes they would be eaten by animals in the forests. Their goal is to eradicate the raccoon and fox strains of the disease that are plaguing wildlife around Ontario.
Cambridge is one of the many hot spots on the MNR's list to drop the khaki green pills. Members of the community are being asked to leave the vaccine tablets alone if found and to not touch them.
“Baits help to immunize most raccoons, skunks and foxes that eat them. Baiting is an important part of our rabies control plan – one of the most successful in North America,” reads a public alert on the MNR's website.
Researchers will focus on where raccoon and skunks frequent, like bushes, green spaces and ravines. They will also drop the bait along fence lines, hedges and large culverts. Baits are not distributed near schools, playgrounds, or where children are likely to be present.
The vaccines are not harmful to humans or pets if ingested, but contacting a doctor or veterinarian is highly recommended.
The MNR has been fighting against the deadly disease since 2016 and their efforts have seen a significant drop in the amount of positive cases by nearly 95 per cent.
Over 7.5 million of the marshmallow-scented tabs have been released by the MNR since the program started in 2015.
