General Notice of Rabies Research and Control Operations for 2026

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ (MNR) role is to manage, monitor and research rabies in wildlife and we focus on two means of controlling rabies: distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits (ORV) and Trap-Vaccinate-Release of wildlife.

There are two variants of terrestrial rabies that currently pose a threat to Ontario: Arctic fox variant rabies (which is common and widespread in the Arctic and Subarctic habitats in far northern Ontario and can spread south) and raccoon variant rabies (which occurs mostly in raccoons and skunks and is present along the border areas in New York State). Both variants can infect any species of mammal. 

Rabies management operations are conducted to prevent the disease from spreading or becoming established in Ontario. Operations target areas both where terrestrial (non-bat) rabies is present in the province and preventatively along the border with the United States where infected wildlife could migrate into Ontario. Control operations are conducted within 50 km surrounding positive cases for at least two years after detection. Because there have been no cases of terrestrial (non-bat) rabies detected outside the endemic range in Ontario for over two years, MNR will move from active rabies control operations back into a prevention and surveillance program in 2026.

Baiting operations consists of the distribution of baits containing oral rabies vaccine (ONRAB) from airplanes or helicopters in rural areas and by hand in urban areas. 

The Trap-Vaccinate-Release program is used as part of control operations where recent cases have been detected to immunize wildlife in high-risk urban areas. In 2026, there are no planned Trap-Vaccinate-Release operations, as there have been no cases detected in southern Ontario for over two years. 

Planned MNR activities for the 2026 season include: 

• Baiting in the Niagara Region by hand in urban areas and aerial baiting in rural areas to prevent the spread of raccoon variant rabies from New York: July and August.
• Aerial baiting and hand baiting in the St. Lawrence area in Frontenac, Leeds & Grenville and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry municipalities (on islands and a small area of mainland) and hand baiting in the city of Cornwall to prevent the spread of raccoon variant rabies from New York: August.
• Surveillance (testing of dead, sick and strange-acting wildlife) that showed signs typical of rabies from across the province: throughout the year.
• Rapid Response, if required, to any new confirmed rabies cases of fox or raccoon variant rabies outside of the endemic range with a combination of baiting and Trap-Vaccinate-Release.

MNR is a leading agency in research of this deadly disease in Ontario. Ministry studies of wildlife movement, genetics and vaccine and bait development help ensure that Ontario’s Wildlife Rabies Program is based on the best science available. 

It is necessary to continue preventative rabies baiting and surveillance even when the rabies cases have declined to protect wildlife from rabid animals that could enter Ontario from across our borders. The province remains attentive to ensure any new outbreaks are detected early and responded to effectively. 

Comments on the ministry’s Wildlife Rabies Program may be directed to the contact person listed in this notice until September 30, 2026. Comments will also be accepted by e-mail at rabies@ontario.ca.