DISEASE. The first cases of ragcate of the raccoon were confirmed in Bedford, Stanbridge Station and Stanbridge East. The authorities mention that it is essential to be cautious.
By Abraham Santerre
In Bedford, a raccoon was found dead on the edge of a road on May 20. He was subject to analyzes. For the cases of Stanbridge Station and Stanbridge East, the teams of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) intervened on May 26 and June 2, as a result of citizens’ reports, to recover living rares that presented symptoms of rabies.
New instruction
The MELCCFP has announced the entry into force of a new prevention measure to slow down the propagation of ranting of the raccoon. “As of today and until August 17, 2025, it is prohibited to transport certain animals, when they are alive, in the territory of the municipalities located around the sectors where cases of rage of the raccoon have been confirmed,” said the ministry. It is nearly a hundred municipalities that are affected by this ministerial decree.
The following species are affected: rats washer, striped skuffs, gray foxes, red foxes as well as coyotes and their hybrids. Those who violate this ban commit an offense and are liable to a fine.
CAS name
Since the start of the year, 31 cases of rage have been confirmed by the MELCCFP, all in the region. These are Saint-Armand (12), Notre-Dame-de-Stanbridge (5), Venice-en-Québec (3), Pike River (3), canton of Bedford (2), Saint-Ignace-De-Stanbridge (1), Frelighsburg (1), Farnham (1), Bedford (1), Stanbridge Station (1) and Stanbridge East (1).
MELCCFP recalls that rabies is a fatal disease that can affect animals and humans. In the event of a bit by an unknown animal or if you have been in contact with its saliva, it is important to clean the wound for 10 to 15 minutes with water and soap, even if it seems minor. Contact Info-Santé at 811 is also suggested.
To protect itself, the MELCCFP invites the population to have pet vaccinating, not to touch dead animals and to keep their distances from wild animals. It is possible to point out the rats washer, the skuffs or the foxes which have unusual behavior, in Estrie or in Montérégie, at 1 877 3466763.
