Quebec confirms 1st rabid raccoon in decade, urges those near Vermont border to be on alert
Racoon was found dead in Saint-Armand, Que., on Dec. 17
Quebec's Environment Ministry is warning residents near the Vermont border that a dead raccoon has tested positive for rabies.
This is the first raccoon found with rabies since 2015, the ministry said in a news release Monday. It says the raccoon was found in Saint-Armand, Que., on Dec. 17.
It was residents who found the carcass and reported it to authorities, said Marianne Gagnon, rabies co-ordinator with the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency laboratory confirmed this month that tests conducted on the raccoon showed the raccoon variant of rabies caused the infection, tying it to similar cases in the United States.
The animal was recovered approximately 1.4 kilometres from where a case was discovered in early December in the town of Highgate, Vt. In northern Vermont, several cases of raccoon rabies were detected over the last year.
Gagnon said the first case of raccoon rabies in the province was detected in 2006 when an animal crossed into Quebec from Vermont in that same area. From there, 104 cases were detected in wildlife over the next three years.
"We were able to stop the progression of the disease, so eliminate it from the area, from the province," she said, but since 2022, there has been an increase in cases detected in Vermont.
"It's always worrisome to find a raccoon with rabies in the province because we were able to eliminate it. Although, we could see it coming."
Prevention efforts will continue in 2025
The situation is being closely monitored by the Quebec government, which is continuing its collaboration with American authorities to optimize control and surveillance efforts on both sides of the border.
Since that case in 2006, Quebec has implemented a rabies control plan for raccoons and collaborates with neighbouring U.S. states and provinces in an effort to eliminate raccoon rabies in North America.
In 2024, Gagnon said there were three operations conducted to vaccinate wildlife against rabies — in April, August and October. This is done by dropping bait containing the vaccine, targeting specific animals. She said the ministry is confident these techniques will immunize susceptible animals and prevent spreading.
Vaccination interventions for raccoons, skunks and foxes are planned for 2025, the ministry says. An analysis is underway to determine the best intervention strategy, which will be adapted to the situation, it says.
"The concerns right now are mostly for public health because rabies can be transmitted to humans through contact with wild animals or domestic animals that are infected," said Gagnon. "That's why we really ask people to have no contact with wildlife or even unknown animals."
In October, health authorities announced a child from the Brantford, Ont., area died from rabies. It was the first domestically acquired case of human rabies in Ontario since 1967.
Warning residents to be on alert
Meanwhile, the ministry is calling on residents of Saint-Armand and nearby municipalities to participate in heightened surveillance efforts. Individuals in 17 municipalities, including Bedford, Dunham, Frelighsburg and others along the Vermont border, should be extra vigilant, the ministry says.
Gagnon said there is less concern for towns further east.
Residents are urged to promptly report any dead or suspicious raccoons, skunks or foxes, especially those that seem disoriented, injured, unusually aggressive or paralyzed, by calling 1-877-346-6763 or using the online form.
Rabies is a deadly, contagious disease that can affect all mammals. Other variants also circulate in Quebec, including those from bats and foxes.
Always exercise caution around mammals, avoid handling wild animal carcasses and secure garbage away from your home, the ministry says.
To reduce the risk of rabies transmission to humans and domestic animals, the ministry recommends cleaning any bites or scratches with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes and contacting Info-Santé 811 for medical follow-up
Pet owners are urged to ensure dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccinations up to date. If outdoor animals, such as livestock, interact with wildlife or show rabies symptoms, owners should consult a veterinarian to assess the need for vaccination.
Written by Isaac Olson with files from Gabriel Guindi