rabies Outbreak Prompts Animal Transport Ban in Quebec: Authorities Respond to Raccoon Rabies Cases
Montreal, June 19, 2025 – In Response To Confirmed Cases Of Raccoon Rabies, Authorities In Quebec Have Implemented An Immediate ban On The Transportation Of Certain Animals Across Several Municipalities. The Goal Is To Curb The Spread Of This Deadly Disease, Requiring The Cooperation Of Residents In The Estrie And Montérégie Regions.
Confirmed Cases And Prevention Measures
The First Cases Of raccoon Rabies were Recently Verified In Bedford, Stanbridge Station, And Stanbridge East. According To Officials, A raccoon Found Dead on May 20 In Bedford Tested Positive For The Virus. Later, On May 26 And June 2, Teams From The Ministry Of the environment, The Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife And Parks (Melccfp) Responded To Citizen Reports And Captured Living Raccoons Exhibiting Rabies Symptoms In Stanbridge Station And Stanbridge East.
To Combat The Spread Of The *Rabies* Virus, The Melccfp Has Introduced A new Prevention Measure. Effective Promptly and Lasting until August 17, 2025, The Transportation Of Specific Live Animals Is Prohibited Within Municipalities Surrounding The Areas Where Raccoon Rabies Cases Have Been confirmed. This ministerial Decree Impacts Nearly One hundred Municipalities.
Animal Transport Ban Details
The Ban Targets Species Identified As high-Risk Carriers Of The Virus. The Prohibited Species Include Raccoons,Striped Skunks,Gray Foxes,Red Foxes,coyotes,And Their Hybrids. Violators of This Ban Will Face Fines.
Officials emphasize the importance of adhering to these regulations to protect both animal and human populations.
Location-Specific Rabies Cases
As The beginning Of The Year, The Melccfp Has Verified 31 Cases Of Rabies Within The Region. These Cases Are Distributed As Follows:
- Saint-Armand: 12
- notre-Dame-De-stanbridge: 5
- Venise-En-Québec: 3
- Pike River: 3
- Canton Of Bedford: 2
- Saint-Ignace-De-Stanbridge: 1
- Frelighsburg: 1
- farnham: 1
- Bedford: 1
- stanbridge Station: 1
- Stanbridge East: 1
the Concentration Of Cases Highlights The Need For Vigilance And Strict Adherence To Prevention Protocols.
Protecting Yourself And Others
The Melccfp Reminds The Public That Rabies Is A Fatal Disease Affecting Both Animals And Humans. Pro Tip: If Bitten By An Animal, immediately Wash The Wound For 10-15 Minutes With Soap And Water, Even For Minor Injuries. Contact Info-Santé At 811 For Further Guidance.
To safeguard Against Rabies:
- Ensure Pets Are Vaccinated.
- Avoid Touching Dead Animals.
- Maintain Distance From Wild Animals.
Residents In Estrie And Montérégie Who Observe Raccoons, Skunks, Or Foxes Exhibiting Unusual Behavior should Report These Incidents Immediately At 1-877-346-6763.
Understanding Rabies: Evergreen Insights
Rabies remains A Notable Public Health Concern Worldwide. According To The World Health Organization (Who), Rabies Is Preventable With timely Vaccination. However, Once Symptoms Manifest, The Disease Is Nearly Always Fatal.The “United Against Rabies” Platform,A Collaboration Between Major Health Organizations,Aims To Eliminate Rabies Globally.
Key Facts About Rabies:
- rabies Is Transmitted Through Saliva, Usually Via A Bite.
- Symptoms Can Take Weeks Or Months To Appear.
- Vaccination After Exposure Is Crucial For preventing The Disease.
Rabies Transmission: How It Spreads
Rabies Primarily Spreads Through The Saliva Of Infected Animals. This Usually Occurs Via A Bite, But Can Also Happen If Infected Saliva Enters An Open Wound Or Mucous Membrane (Eyes, Nose, Mouth). Although Any Mammal Can Contract Rabies, The Most Common Carriers Include:
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Bats
- Foxes
- dogs (In Regions Where Vaccination is Not Widespread)
Understanding How Rabies Spreads Is Crucial For Taking Appropriate Precautions And Preventing Infection.
Global Efforts To Combat Rabies
Numerous Organizations Are Working Globally To Eradicate Rabies. The World Health Organization (Who), Along With Collaborators Like the Food And Agriculture Organization (Fao) And The World Organisation for Animal Health (Woah), Are Leading Initiatives Focused On:
- mass Dog Vaccination Programs: vaccinating At Least 70% Of Dogs In Endemic Areas Can Break The Cycle Of Transmission.
- Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (Pep): Ensuring Timely Access To Pep For People Who Have Been Bitten by suspected Rabid Animals.
- Surveillance And Monitoring: Tracking Rabies Cases In Animals And Humans To Inform Prevention Strategies.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating Communities About Rabies Prevention And Control.
These Coordinated Efforts Are Essential To Achieving The Global Goal of Rabies Elimination.
Frequently Asked questions About Rabies
- What Areas in Quebec Are Affected By The Rabies Outbreak?
- The Rabies Outbreak Has Been Confirmed In Bedford,stanbridge Station,And Stanbridge East. A Hundred Municipalities Around These Sectors Are Affected by The Ministerial Decree.
- Which Animals Are Included In The Transport Ban Due To The Rabies Concerns?
- The Transport Ban Affects Raccoons, Skunks, Gray Foxes, Red Foxes, Coyotes, And Their Hybrids.
- What Should I Do If I Am Bitten By An Animal Suspected Of Having Rabies?
- If You Are Bitten By An Unknown Animal Or come Into Contact With Its Saliva, Clean The Wound Thoroughly With Soap And Water For 10 To 15 Minutes And Contact Info-Santé At 811.
- how Can I Protect My Pets From Rabies?
- The Best Way To Protect Your Pets From Rabies Is to Ensure They Are Vaccinated.Avoid Contact With Wild animals And Do Not Touch Dead Animals.
- What Are The signs Of Rabies In Animals?
- Unusual Behavior In Raccoons, Skunks, Or Foxes Could Be A Sign Of Rabies. Report Any Such Observations In Estrie Or Montérégie By Calling 1-877-346-6763.
- What Is The Fine For Violating The Animal Transport Ban?
- Those Who Violate The Animal Transport Ban Are Committing An Offense And Are Liable To A Fine.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe. do You have Any Concerns About Rabies In Your Community? Share Your Thoughts And Questions Below.
