Sarnia

Ontario Rabies Cases Rising Sharply, Livestock Increasingly Vulnerable

With the recent surge in rabies cases, OMAFRA is pointing farmers towards ways of keeping livestock safe.

The ministry says the best way to prevent rabies is simply to avoid contact with foxes, skunks, raccoons and bats.

If excluding wildlife from pastures and other farm areas can't be accomplished, there are vaccines available for livestock.

OMAFRA notes farmers who are on the fence about what they should do should contact their farm vet.

It also says to contact your vet immediately if you suspect one of your animals have bitten, or even contacted the saliva of a rabid creature.

The ministry adds it can also be contacted for further assistance.

Last week a Perth County cow became the second in the county in just two months to contract the disease.

Statistics Canada says 288 cases of rabies were confirmed in Ontario in 2016.

That's well above the 24 cases found in 2015 and the 18 confirmed in 2014.

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