WHY ELIMINATE MASS RABIES VACCINATION CLINICS?

• The conditions that sparred the rabies clinics initially no longer exist.
   
• Rabies positive cases are at an all time low number with 5 cases being reported so far in 2005 compared to 268 in 1987.
   
• The initiation of the aerial bait drops targeted at the fox population is the largest single factor in the decrease in the reported rabies cases among the wildlife in Ontario. The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for this program. Since 1989 they have been dropping small suet packages impregnated with vaccine in wooded areas from low flying small aircrafts. Aerial baiting in our area is commencing the week of Sept 21-26.
   
• The skunk is now the leading carrier of rabies in Grey Bruce as they do not have the same preference for the bait. 164 positive skunks compared to 66 fox in the past 10 years.
   
• Animals born in October had to wait until almost one year of age for the next clinic.
   
• Some of the animals taken to the clinics were affected by parasites, tumours and infections which would affect their ability to mount a proper response to the vaccine and possibly allowed the spread of disease to innocent others. Because of the limitations of time and no chance to examine each animal, the possibility to discuss pregnancy, autoimmune diseases or vaccine reactions are limited.
   
• There is a provision in CVO policy that allows for a better way to deal with companion animals at home on their farms. Large animal veterinarians are permitted to vaccinate the resident companion animals when they are on the farm at the time of a visit.
   
• The time frame was too restrictive to do justice to the entire county in one afternoon. Pets can be vaccinated anytime of the year.
   
• The vaccines available today are safer and can last up to three years if given to a healthy, previously vaccinated adult. When spread out over 2 or 3 years the cost is similar to the rabies clinic fees and the pet also gets a physical exam.
   
• With many other diseases preventable with vaccines, veterinarians can now offer a vaccination program tailored to individual animals according to their lifestyle, habits, previous history, and health status.
   
• Rabies clinics mislead the public into thinking that an annual rabies vaccination is all there is to pet care and decrease the likelihood that health problems will be detected at an early stage.
   
• The vaccines and the knowledge of the efficacy and duration of the effect of the vaccines have improved immensely in the past 10 years. Over-vaccinating has become an issue in animals with compromised immune systems and sensitivities.
   
• The low cost clinics served their purpose at the time, but the animals, the owners and the public will be better served with the new format.
  
  
  RABIES
   
• Rabies is a viral disease that can attack the brain in any infected warm-blooded mammal including humans. The disease is spread most often by saliva injected through a bite from a rabid animal. In our area, foxes and skunks are the main wildlife hosts. Domestic pets roaming outdoors but sharing our living space are often the link between wildlife and humans.
   
• Diseases that are shared between animals and humans, such as rabies, are called zoonotic. Rabies is a potential untreatable killer once the virus reaches the brain and is among the most serious diseases in Canada
  
  
  HISTORY OF RABIES IN GREY BRUCE
   
• The arctic fox strain of the rabies virus has been endemic (ever present) in Grey Bruce since the late 1950’s. In the early 1990’s, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported that upwards of 100 or more cases annually were tested positive for rabies. The CFIA is the federal agency that regulates this reportable disease.
   
• Public Health works in conjunction with federal veterinarians to keep close surveillance on any possible human involvement with rabid animals.
   
• Forty years ago rabies was a significant disease and it was determined that the best way to control the virus in domestic animals and pets was with a mass vaccination program. Originally there were too few veterinarians in private practice to manage this task so the federal government organized free rabies clinics around the province. In the 1960’s and 1970’s there were free clinics by federal veterinarians. Of course nothing in life is free- taxpayers dollars paid for the service.
   
• In the 1980’s the federal government passed the responsibility for rabies control onto the provinces and, in turn, to Public Health. A group of local veterinarians, the Grey Bruce Veterinary Association, were approached to help ameliorate an outbreak.
   
• Public Health reached an agreement with the College of Veterinarians (CVO) to amend the regulations under the Veterinarians Act in Ontario to eliminate the requirement for a physical assessment of the animal before the rabies vaccination was given. Proper medical standards were relaxed to enable a large number of animals to be vaccinated in a short period of time on a yearly basis with our then annual vaccines.
  
  
  RABIES LAW
   
• Rabies is designated as a reportable disease with regulations and policies to cover its detection and prevention. Only licensed veterinarians are allowed to deliver the vaccine. They must verify every detail of the transaction from identifying the animal and assessing if the animal is healthy enough to mount an immune response, to recording the type and serial number of the vaccine and issuing a certificate of immunization.
   
• In Ontario, pet owners and horse owners are required to have a current dated certificate of immunization saying that their animal has been vaccinated or a waiver to say why the animal cannot be vaccinated. Health Protection and Promotion Act 1990
   
• In Ontario, a veterinarian must examine and record an assessment of the animal before treating. Veterinarians Act 1990
  
  
  SUMMARY
   
• We must keep our vigilance up against insidious, endemic diseases, such as rabies, that can be incubated in wildlife for long periods of time. Children must be taught to respect and leave wild animals alone and avoid contact with domestic pets they don’t know.
   
• Rabies management is complex, requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. To be effective the Grey Bruce Veterinary Association, Ministry of Natural Resources, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Health, the agricultural community, wildlife managers, and pet owners must work cooperatively and responsibly.
   
• Merial Canada has generously sponsored the campaign to promote rabies vaccination by providing posters, plaques and information sheets to be circulated throughout Grey Bruce.