There is a call for increased access to the rabies vaccine. Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hazel Lynn will be meeting with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and area vets in Walkerton on April 28th. Dr. Lynn says more needs to be done to control rabies within Grey and Bruce. She would like to see better access to the rabies vaccine. Dr. Lynn says the availability of the rabies vaccine for pets is key, adding the Ontario Veterinarians Association needs to seriously look at this. Dr. Lynn says there is an alarming increase in the number of rabid skunks in the area. Just recently, a rabid skunk was found wandering southwest of Durham on April 12th. This is the latest in a string of rabid animal cases in Grey Bruce — there were 6 confirmed cases in 2007. Dr. Lynn says there is a need for increased wild animal baiting programs. She says the MNR has listened to this request and will now start hand-baiting and testing skunks in Grey Bruce. Dr. Lynn adds the province will also continue with the fox baiting program, which has been hugely successful. The Grey Bruce Board of Health is also lobbying for the return of local rabies clinics.
