Five cows in the area have tested positive since 2015
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
A calf on a farm in Elma Ward in Perth County has tested positive for rabies. This is the fifth positive test on cattle in the county since 2015.
“This positive result continues to remind us that rabies is still present in Perth County,” Dayle Lyttle, senior public health inspector with the Perth District Health Unit (PDHU), said in a March 22 release.
The infected calf likely came into contact with another rabid animal. PDHU is working with the farmer to determine if there’s been any human exposure.
OMAFRA is also helping to implement a precautionary confinement period for other cattle in the same herd as the infected animal.
This positive test should serve as a reminder to vaccinate pets, says Lyttle.
Rabies timeline
- On March 7, 2017, the Huron County Health Unit said a calf from a farm near Blyth contacted rabies.
- On Jan. 30, 2017, the PDHU said a calf on a farm in Wallace Ward tested positive.
- On Jan. 20, 2017, PDHU said a calf from a Wallace Ward farm contracted rabies.
- On Nov. 24, 2016, PDHU confirmed a cow in Elma Ward tested positive for rabies.
- On January 6, 2016, PDHU said a cow in Ellice Ward tested positive.
Taking action
In light of the latest rabies confirmation, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is increasing its disease prevention practices.
In light of the latest rabies confirmation, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is increasing its disease prevention practices.
After earlier cases were announced, the ministry dropped 20 packets of rabies vaccine per square kilometre in a 50km area, Chris Davies, manager of wildlife, research and monitoring with MNR, told CBC.
The ministry will now bait an 8km area with 300 packets per sq. km. Additional baiting could occur over the summer if necessary.
Farms.com has reached out to farm organizations and local producers for safety tips.