Rabies Activity Reported Near Ontario Border: Public Advisory Issued
Neighbouring regions of the Ontario border are seeing raccoon-variant rabies strain.
(June 29, 2026) – Lakelands Public Health has been advised of a current outbreak of raccoon-variant rabies strain in New York State and Quebec regions, close the Ontario borders. To control this outbreak, the Ministry of Natural Resources has increased distribution of oral bait rabies vaccine in rural and urban locations in the affected areas and will continue to survey these areas for any Ontario-based cases.
This is a reminder to the public that any sick, injured or dead wildlife that are known carriers of rabies (raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes) should be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources Wildlife Health Information Line at 1-888-574-6656.
Lakelands Public Health would also like to remind the public to not approach or touch wild or stray animals as this can increase your risk of potential harm. If you come in contact with a wild or stray animal and it results in an injury (scratch or bite), please immediately contact Lakelands Public Health at 1-844-575-4567 and dial 4 for Environmental Health.
For more information about rabies, please visit LakelandsPH.ca/rabies-education.
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Media Contact
Ashley Beaulac, SCMP©
Communications Manager
Lakelands Public Health
media@lakelandsph.ca
About Lakelands Public Health
Lakelands Public Health serves the County of Haliburton, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, and the City and County of Peterborough. The organization works to protect health, prevent illness and injury, and promote overall well-being for everyone who lives, works, and learns in the region, including urban and rural communities as well as Alderville, Curve Lake, and Hiawatha First Nations.
Established through the voluntary merger of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health, Lakelands Public Health combines local knowledge, public health expertise, and a strong community focus to deliver programs and services that respond to local needs. These include infectious disease prevention and control, healthy living initiatives, environmental health, school and family health programs, and emergency preparedness. For more information, visit LakelandsPH.ca.
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