More Quebec municipalities banned from transporting wildlife due to raccoon rabies
Quebec has expanded a ban on the transport of certain wildlife species to the Centre-du-Québec region due to a rise in raccoon rabies cases. Authorities are urging residents to avoid moving animals and to vaccinate pets to prevent the spread of the disease.
Why it matters
Public health measures are being implemented to contain a zoonotic disease outbreak that poses risks to both wildlife and humans.
That ban, which restricts the transport of raccoons, red and grey foxes, striped skunks and coyotes in the Montérégie and Eastern Townships, is being extended to the Centre-du-Québec region as of Friday.
" Moving an unwanted, injured, or seemingly orphaned animal can contribute to the spread of rabies in areas currently free of cases," the ministry said in news release.
The extension adds 53 more municipalities across the three regions. A total of 283 municipalities are now impacted by the ban, which will be in place until at least Oct. 6.
Over 200 cases of raccoon rabies were detected in the province from December 2024 to July 27 this year.
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