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Following the detection of rabies in several raccoons over the past few months, Quebec’s Environment Ministry is extending its ban on the transportation of wildlife.
That ban, which restricts the transport of raccoons, red and grey foxes, striped skunks and coyotes in the Montérégie and Eastern Townships, is being extended to the Centre-du-Québec region as of Friday.
“Moving an unwanted, injured, or seemingly orphaned animal can contribute to the spread of rabies in areas currently free of cases,” the ministry said in news release.
The extension adds 53 more municipalities across the three regions. A total of 283 municipalities are now impacted by the ban, which will be in place until at least Oct. 6.
Over 200 cases of raccoon rabies were detected in the province from December 2024 to July 27 this year.
The ministry says even animals that appear healthy may be infected with rabies. That means that unwanted animals should not be moved off your property, no matter how far.
Instead, food sources and shelter that attract wildlife should be removed and a pest management specialist called if needed.
Vaccination campaign underway
From Aug. 3 to Sept. 13, the ministry will distribute close to 815,000 oral rabies vaccines over an area of about 5,500 square kilometres.
The vaccine bait, which resembles a khaki-green ravioli, will be left along riverbanks, in wooded areas, at the edges of fields and in abandoned buildings.
It gives off a sweet scent that attracts the target species, namely raccoons, skunks and foxes.
A coyote in the Bioparc de la Gaspésie. (Jean-François Deschênesé/Radio-Canada)
To help protect yourself from the fatal disease, the ministry recommends having your pets vaccinated against rabies to prevent transmission.
If you are bit, scratched or come into contact with the saliva of an unknown animal, wash the wound — even minor ones — with water and soap for 10 to 15 minutes and call Info-Santé for further medical care.
If you suspect an animal is infected with rabies, you can report the case to the ministry via this online form.