Growing concern about rabies in southern New Brunswick has prompted the provincial government to step in.
There have been almost a dozen confirmed cases of the infection in the past year in the area, where memories of the 2002 rabies outbreak are still fresh.
Back then, the province brought in live traps and a bait drop in an effort to vaccinate wild animals, and while a decision to do that now has not been made, one local veterinarian is hopeful something will be done.
Dr. William Bell, a veterinarian in St. Stephen, N.B., is preparing to host is second rabies clinic of the year this weekend, and he’s expecting a large turnout.
With nearly 150 animals vaccinated at his first clinic, Bell said he’s noticed an increased interest in vaccination among pet owners.
“Our goal is to have every animal that’s in contact with humans vaccinated and covered, as it is a fatal disease to humans and to animals,” Bell said.
With the rising number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick, the province has formed a rabies committee and is looking to hire a rabies expert to help confront the issue.
St. Stephen Mayor John Quartermain said he finds the current situation “very concerning.”
With warm weather around the corner, Quartermain said he expects raccoon sighting to increase, and he wants everyone to know they could be rabid.
“I think that it’s more prevalent outside of town currently, in the outlying areas, but there are definitely still raccoons in St. Stephen and we expect we’re going to start getting calls again this time of year,” he said.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Blackford
