Rabies baits to be dropped in North Dumfries after rabid skunk found - Action News
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Rabies baits to be dropped in North Dumfries after rabid skunk found

The Ministry of Natural Resources will drop rabies vaccine packs in North Dumfries after a skunk tested positive for rabies last month.
Rabies vaccines have a wax coating that smells of vanilla and sugar. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says people shouldn't touch the baits if you find them. (Catherine Harrop/CBC)

Khaki-green coloured rabies vaccine baits will be dropped around North Dumfries early next week after a skunk in the township tested positive for rabies.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says there have also been two confirmed positive rabies cases in the Niagara area. Region of Waterloo Public Health announced on Nov. 28 that the rabid skunk was found in Ayr.

The baits will be dropped by helicopter. They're a blister pack that contains the vaccine is made of wax and have a vanilla-sugar flavour that attracts wild animals. When raccoons, skunks or foxes eat the baits, they will be vaccinated.

The baits are labelled "do not eat" and the ministry says if a person finds a bait, they shouldn't touch it.

The ministry will fly a yellow EC130 helicopter on Monday and Tuesday to drop the baits from the sky in the area around Ayr. They will also be hand dropping bait this week closer to the village.

The Township of North Dumfries tweeted this map to show where rabies vaccine baits will be dropped over the course of the next week. (@northdumfries/Twitter)