PROVINCE DISTRIBUTES INNOVATIVE NEW VACCINE TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM RABIES

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2006

PROVINCE DISTRIBUTES INNOVATIVE NEW VACCINE TO PROTECT PUBLIC FROM RABIES
Baiting In Toronto Area; Aerial Baiting In Southwestern And Eastern Ontario

TORONTO - The McGuinty government is protecting the province's people and wildlife by distributing a new, breakthrough rabies vaccine and bait - an oral vaccine for skunks, Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay announced today.

"Until now, there has not been an effective oral vaccine in Canada to immunize skunks against fox strain rabies, so the disease has persisted in some areas of southern Ontario," said Ramsay. "We're hoping this new vaccine will eventually eliminate fox and raccoon strain rabies in southern Ontario."

The Ministry of Natural Resources and partners developed the vaccine, called ONRAB, and the bait called "Ultra-lite. " The province has air-dropped approximately 200,000 of the vaccine baits in the southwest corner of Grey County and the northeast corner of Dufferin County in southwestern Ontario. This will create a buffer zone of vaccinated skunks.

"Ontario's internationally-recognized wildlife immunization programs safeguard our wildlife and protect Ontario families," said Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty. "This is another example of the world-class research and innovation taking place in Ontario."

In addition, for the first time in seven years the province will distribute the traditional rabies vaccine baits in parts of the Greater Toronto Area. This is being done after two skunks from Bolton were diagnosed with fox strain rabies earlier this year - the first cases in that area since 1997. Hand-baiting is set to start near the end of August in the river ravines closest to the Toronto International Airport and, if necessary, aerial baiting will take place in October in other ravines.

The vaccine baits are small, khaki green and made of fat and wax. A toll-free number and the words 'DO NOT EAT' are stamped on each bait. People and pets should not touch the baits, but if they do come in contact with the vaccine people should contact a doctor or veterinarian as a precaution.

As well, the ministry will conduct its annual raccoon rabies aerial baiting in rural eastern Ontario starting August 16. The annual fox rabies aerial baiting in southwestern Ontario will begin October 2. To see a map of the baiting sites in southwestern and eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, go to www.rabies.mnr.gov.on.ca/rabiesmaps.cfm.

For More Information

Barry Radford
Communications Services Branch
416-314-0652

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)